Planting Strawberry Popcorn
Mr Chiots and I are big fans of popcorn, we often eat it in the evenings. Since we’re trying to eat more locally we were thrilled to find some local popcorn last year. While I was out and about one day I spotted seeds for Bonatical Interests Strawberry Popcorn and I just had to have them. How can you not want to grow corn that’s described as: the diminutive strawberry shaped, ruby red ears on these stalks are an eye-catching addition to the back of the flower border. So we’re going to try growing our own popcorn this year.
I soaked the seeds overnight (I’ve heard it softens them and helps them germinate) and I planted them in peat pots. I wanted them to be germinated when I planted them because then I wouldn’t have to worry about animals digging up the seeds. I used peat pots because corn does not like to have it’s roots disturbed.
I had great germination in a few days and they were ready to plant on Monday.
So I headed over to my mom’s house to plant it in the plot that we tilled up several weeks ago. Yesterday we added some compost and other amendments and worked them into the soil.
Then I set about planting the corn seedlings. I’m thinking about making this a traditional 3 sisters planting, since this is an heirloom Indian corn. There’s already a ‘Rouge Vif d’Etampes’ in there that my mom started and I have a few butternut and pumpkins to plant in there as well. I’ll have to pre-germinate some beans when the corn gets to be about 6-8 inches tall and then I’ll plant the pole beans at the base of the cornstalks.
I’m really excited about this popcorn. I’m hoping to have a good crop so I can give some away as Christmas gifts and so that we have enough popcorn to last us till next year.
Are there foods that you love that you’re trying to grow yourself?
Filed under Edible | Comments (7)
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I can’t wait to see how your popcorn does! We are big popcorn fans in this house too. The best I’ve had was some local kernels that we bought in Amish country. The best popcorn we ever had!
to Lisa@The Cutting Edge of Ordinary's comment
This corn is just so cute! I am not really into popcorn, but the cuteness factor almost makes me want to grow it and eat it!
islandgardener´s last blog ..Breakfast is Served!
to islandgardener's comment
That is COOL.
That looks cool. Its just cool.
I have always decided to not grow corn because it takes so much space for what I considered a minimal product, BUT popcorn is a higher yield in my mind.
Inspiration!
ChicagoMike´s last blog ..Garden Update
to ChicagoMike's comment
I agree, a half cup of popcorn give you a good panful of popcorn for the whole family to share. Probably 16 plants would give you enough to last all year if you weren’t heavy popcorn eaters. We have so many people around here that grow good sweet corn I’d rather just buy that from someone else, unless I get super ambitious someday and have some extra garden space.
to Susy's comment
I love it! Does the popcorn end up being red or pink or ? Awesome. Cool that you’re doing a 3 sisters, I’ve never had the room to try that. I’m trying raspberries this year, after many years of longing for them. The plants look a bit stressed at the moment, though, since we are on day 29 of no rain and that’s very weird for spring in Seattle!
Karen´s last blog ..Evidence of Things Unseen
to Karen's comment
When you pop it it’s actually white, but the kernels are the mostly shade of ruby.
to Susy's comment
For me its eggplant and okra. My parents (especially my father) love okra, so that is for them really when they come to visit. We all love eggplants, so I hope that what I’ve planted can make a dent in our weekly consumption.
I’m missing popcorn since I haven’t been able to find a local source, and don’t have the space to grow it myself. I have a friend in Oklahoma who is using the 3 sisters method with great results.
Mangochild´s last blog ..Teaching Food Systems
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