You must isolate popcorn from other types of corn.
Plant seeds one inch deep in heavier soils, and up to two inches deep in sandy soil. Space the seeds about 8 inches apart. Plant in at least four rows, with 18 to 24 inches between rows. Popcorn germination takes longer than sweet corn, and most varieties require 90 to 120 days to reach full maturity.
How do you harvest and store popcorn?
Answer:
The moisture content of popcorn determines its popping quality. The ideal moisture content of popcorn is 13 to 14.5 percent.
Popcorn should be left on the stalk until fully mature. Harvest the ears when the husks are brown and the kernels are hard and shiny. After harvest, remove the husks and place the ears in a mesh bag and hang the popcorn in a warm, dry, well-ventilated location for a few weeks. After drying the popcorn for 2 to 3 weeks, remove an ear of popcorn. Shell a portion of the ear and pop the kernels. If the kernels contain too much moisture, the popped corn will be small, rough, and "chewy."
Allow the popcorn to dry for another week. Then shell and test pop a few additional kernels. When the kernels pop well, shell the remainder of the popcorn. The chaff can be removed by pouring the kernels from one container to another outdoors, allowing the wind to remove the debris. After the popcorn has been cleaned, store the kernels in airtight containers.
Ornamental/Edible Popcorn Seeds
Botanical Name: Zea mays var. everta
Carmel Crisp is a premium popcorn variety prized for producing large, tender kernels with an outstanding crunch and rich corn flavor. Its excellent expansion and firm texture make it one of the best choices for homemade caramel corn, kettle corn, and other gourmet popcorn treats. Strong, vigorous plants produce well-filled ears that dry naturally in the field, making harvest and storage easy for home gardeners. Whether enjoyed fresh from the popper or coated in sweet caramel, Carmel Crisp delivers exceptional quality with every batch.
Days to Maturity: 105–115 days
Plant Height: 6–7 feet
Ear Length: 7–9 inches
Kernel Color: Golden Yellow
Uses: Gourmet popcorn, caramel corn, kettle corn, home popping, long-term storage
Botanical Name: Zea mays var. everta
Strawberry Popcorn is a unique heirloom variety that produces striking miniature ears resembling large strawberries. The deep ruby-red kernels make it a favorite for fall decorations, harvest displays, wreaths, and dried floral arrangements, while also producing delicious popcorn with a rich, old-fashioned corn flavor. Compact yet productive plants develop numerous small ears that dry beautifully on the stalk, making harvest simple. Whether grown for popping or ornamental use, Strawberry Popcorn offers exceptional versatility and eye-catching color that has made it a favorite among home gardeners for generations.
Days to Maturity: 95–105 days
Plant Height: 4–5 feet
Ear Length: 2–4 inches
Kernel Color: Deep Ruby Red
Uses: Fresh popping, ornamental displays, fall decorations, wreaths, crafts, dried arrangements
Botanical Name: Zea mays var. everta
Shades of Blue Popcorn is a beautiful heirloom variety that produces stunning ears filled with kernels in varying shades of blue, ranging from pale powder blue to rich navy and deep indigo. Beyond its ornamental appeal, this variety pops into tender, crisp white popcorn with a rich, traditional flavor that rivals the finest gourmet varieties. Vigorous plants produce well-filled ears that dry naturally in the garden, making them ideal for both harvesting and decorative use. Shades of Blue combines exceptional beauty with excellent popping quality, making it a favorite for gardeners who appreciate crops that are both productive and visually striking.
Days to Maturity: 100–110 days
Plant Height: 6–7 feet
Ear Length: 6–8 inches
Kernel Color: Shades of Light to Deep Blue
Uses: Gourmet popcorn, ornamental displays, fall decorations, crafts, home popping
Botanical Name: Zea mays var. everta
Dynamite Popcorn is a high-yielding popcorn variety developed for outstanding popping performance and dependable garden production. Vigorous plants produce large, well-filled ears loaded with bright golden kernels that dry evenly for excellent storage and consistently high expansion when popped. The fluffy, tender popcorn has a crisp texture and rich corn flavor, making it ideal for movie nights, snacks, and gourmet recipes. Adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions, Dynamite is an excellent choice for home gardeners looking for dependable harvests and exceptional popping quality.
Days to Maturity: 100–110 days
Plant Height: 6–8 feet
Ear Length: 7–9 inches
Kernel Color: Bright Golden Yellow
Uses: Gourmet popcorn, home popping, movie-night snacks, caramel corn, long-term storage
Botanical Name: Zea mays var. everta
Strawberry De-lite Ornamental Popcorn is a charming heirloom variety that produces abundant miniature ears closely resembling bright red strawberries. Compact plants are highly productive, yielding numerous jewel-like ears that are perfect for autumn displays, wreaths, centerpieces, and seasonal crafts. While prized for its ornamental beauty, the glossy ruby-red kernels also pop into tender, flavorful white popcorn with a satisfying old-fashioned taste. Easy to grow and naturally attractive, Strawberry De-lite offers the perfect combination of decorative appeal and edible harvest, making it an excellent choice for gardens, farm markets, and fall decorating.
Days to Maturity: 95–105 days
Plant Height: 4–5 feet
Ear Length: 2–4 inches
Kernel Color: Glossy Ruby Red
Uses: Ornamental displays, wreaths, fall decorations, crafts, gourmet popcorn, home popping
Botanical Name: Zea mays var. everta
Lady Fingers Popcorn is a classic heirloom variety treasured for its slender ears and small, pearl-like kernels that produce exceptionally tender, crisp popcorn. Known for its excellent popping expansion and delicate texture, this variety has been a favorite of home gardeners and popcorn enthusiasts for generations. Vigorous plants produce multiple well-filled ears that dry naturally on the stalk, making them easy to harvest and store for year-round enjoyment. With its dependable yields, outstanding flavor, and superior popping quality, Lady Fingers remains one of the finest heirloom popcorn varieties available.
Days to Maturity: 100–110 days
Plant Height: 6–7 feet
Ear Length: 5–7 inches
Kernel Color: Pearl Yellow
Uses: Gourmet popcorn, home popping, movie-night snacks, heirloom gardens, long-term storage
Botanical Name: Zea mays var. everta
White Hulless Hybrid Popcorn is a premium hybrid variety developed for exceptional popping quality, high yields, and nearly hull-free enjoyment. Its bright white kernels produce large, fluffy popcorn with a light, tender texture and very few hull fragments, making it a favorite for family movie nights and gourmet snacks. Vigorous, disease-resistant plants produce uniform ears that mature evenly and store well after harvest. Combining hybrid vigor with outstanding flavor and popping expansion, White Hulless Hybrid is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking dependable performance and superior eating quality.
Days to Maturity: 100–110 days
Plant Height: 6–7 feet
Ear Length: 7–8 inches
Kernel Color: Bright White
Uses: Gourmet popcorn, home popping, movie-night snacks, gift jars, long-term storage
Botanical Name: Zea mays var. everta
Robust 997 F1 Hybrid Popcorn is a commercial-quality hybrid developed for outstanding yields, uniform ear production, and exceptional popping performance. Strong, vigorous plants exhibit excellent standability and produce large, well-filled ears with premium golden kernels that expand into light, fluffy popcorn with a crisp texture and outstanding flavor. Its hybrid vigor provides reliable performance across a wide range of growing conditions, making it an excellent choice for both home gardeners and market growers. Robust 997 F1 combines dependable production with superior popping quality, delivering gourmet results from every harvest.
Days to Maturity: 105–115 days
Plant Height: 7–8 feet
Ear Length: 8–9 inches
Kernel Color: Golden Yellow
Uses: Gourmet popcorn, home popping, market production, caramel corn, long-term storage
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