With longer daylight hours and the sun shining steadily, May arrives with the beautiful scent of flowers upon the breeze. The garden is alive with activity as we’ve all likely picked our first juicy strawberry, and slowly but surely, our harvest baskets are filling up. As you finish planting your warm-weather veggies, I’d like to draw your attention to the somewhat forgotten crop of popping corn. Often it doesn’t garner much attention because it’s not as popular as sweet corn, but what a novelty.
Cultivating a successful crop of corn requires a basic understanding of how it grows. The tassel on top releases the pollen that must be carried to the silk emerging from the developing ears, so planting in groupings or rows is essential for proper pollination. Each strand of silk corresponds to the development of one kernel of corn, so you can see how much pollen has to blow over and down to ensure the development of each corn cob. When you open an ear of corn and find sparse and underdeveloped kernels, you know it wasn’t adequately pollinated.
Also, because wind carries the pollen, you need to plant in succession if you are growing multiple varieties of corn. Two weeks apart is sufficient timing so the tassels of one variety don’t pollinate the ears of another. I didn’t know this until one year I planted a multi-color and a cobalt blue variety, and when I opened the ears, the results were literally “mixed.”
My absolute favorite is an old Native American heirloom called Glass Gem. Each corncob reveals a different rainbow of colors, and I guarantee you’ll find yourself waiting in anticipation for the ears to mature. If there are kids in your life, you won’t be able to keep them from peeking. Helpful hint: corn is ready when the silk dries up and turns brown.
The bonus to growing popping corn is its multiple uses. I create a festive fall display with my pumpkins outside or on my Thanksgiving table. When I take down the decor, I check to see if it’s sufficiently dried. The kernels should easily fall off if you grasp a cob with two hands and twist. If it’s not ready, let it dry out a little longer. After shucking each cob, I place the kernels in a large jar with the lid off so all moisture can escape. Now you have a lovely jar of “gems” in your window, and when movie night comes around, it’s time to pop and enjoy. If you don’t have a popcorn maker, simply look up the paper bag method for popping. It’s a quick and healthy way to enjoy your popcorn.
I’m telling you, there’s nothing like shucking the corn and finding the jewels hidden inside. Each ear is an exciting little present, and I bet you’ll be saving space in your garden so you can grow it year after year. Happy Gardening!!