Corn, Hopi Blue (Zea mays), packet of 100 seeds, Organic

Family:  Grass (Poaceae)

Annual.  90 to 110 days to maturity.

Traditional Hopi Blue Corn grown organically in seclusion on our farm.  This corn wants fertile soil and a full sun position.  Short form, averaging 5  feet tall, with multiple thick, upright stems.  A single plant often creates 3 ears, one large and 2 small.  Drought tolerant.  We have selected these from the standard type, choosing only the most vigorous plants, using only the biggest ears for seed.  Cultivation:  Direct seed in spring when soil warms up.  This corn is traditionally planted deeply–up to 6 inches deep.  Layer organic compost or composted chicken manure in the furrow, cover with a little soil, then drop in your seeds, cover with more soil, tamp, then water.  As with all corns, these should be grown in blocks of at least 3 rows per block, with rows 3 feet apart.  Thin seedlings to 24 inches apart in the row.  As the plants grow, heap soil around the  stems to prohibit lodging (that’s when the plants fall over in strong wind).  Keep weeded and watered. We generally undersow with crimson clover when the plants are knee high.  This conserves water, provides nitrogen for the corn, and improves the soil for the next crop.  When male tassels form, it makes sense to go through and shake the plants so that clouds of pollen fall down on the silk.  This assures full seed set.  Harvest when the ears swell with seeds and the silk dries back.  If dry, hot weather continues, harvest may be put off and the ears field-cured. If the weather turns cold and rainy, bring the ears in, strip off the husks and dry on screens in an attic or other warm space.  Remove kernels from cob after drying for 2 weeks or more.   We measured the yield at 10 lbs of dried, prime kernels per 75 row feet.  Grind for cornbread, tortillas, or use in chowder.  Save seed for the next year–this is an open-pollinated type that will come true from seed as long as it is grown in reasonable seclusion from other corn types.  Blue corn makes the tastiest corn meal.
100 seeds per packet, Certified Organically Grown