Description
DOUBLE STANDARD CORN (Zea mays) is not an heirloom - yet! It is the first open-pollinated bi-color sweet corn and its delicious flavor and beautiful presentation are sure to find a place in the home gardeners "must have" list. Good germination even in cool soils making it a good choice for Northern gardens. The 5' stalks produce 7" ears that have 12-14 rows of yellow/white kernals. The seed you get will be a mix of yellow and white seed (hybrid bi-colors are all yellow). You can grow this as a white corn by planting only the white seeds. If planting both you will get some ears that are all yellow. This is the corn that makes all the work worthwhile! Excellent sweet tender flavorful mouthwatering delight. This is a normal sugary (SU) type of corn. 73 days. 50 seeds.
GROWING TIPS: Corn needs hot weather, plenty of time to ripen, and plenty of room to grow. Corn is a heavy feeder that is particularly responsive to organic compost and sweet soil (pH 6.0 to 6.8) and requires regular watering for good ear production and taste. Do not plant corn until soil temperature is 60 degrees. Provide a sunny location. Plant seeds 1" deep and 4" - 6" apart. I usually plant a little closer together and thin out the weakest so that I have them 12" apart, hilling up the strongest. You can grow in rows or you can grow in short blocks, rather than long rows, and still achieve pollination, or you can pollinate by hand. Please note that you must separate (by at least 100 feet) or stagger plantings (to make sure their maturity days are at least 7 days apart) different varieties and types of corn since they will cross pollinate. Corn needs regular watering - an inch a week, but never water the upper stalks after they tassle - it washes away the pollen! And regular feeding - especially nitrogen and phosphorous. In my area we are prone to sudden violent thunderstorms which can flatten my corn bed. So I have taken to providing a stake fence and securing the growing stalks with string as they grow. It makes quite a difference! Nothing more aggravating than watching your beautiful corn bed ready to produce to completely on its side! It also seems to frustrate the critters who nightly raid my garden! Harvest when the silks are dry and brown, usually 3 weeks after they appear. By the way, did you know your coffee grinder makes an excellent corn mill? Just be sure to clean out (or have a separate one) before using for either purpose.