{"product_id":"homestead-popcorn-seeds-open-pollinated","title":"Homestead Popcorn (Zea mays var. everta) Seeds – Open-Pollinated Multicolor Mottled Ears, 3.5-5 Ft Plants, Delicious \u0026 Decorative","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e15+ Seeds\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMottled, Multicolor Ears That Pop and Decorate\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSome corn is grown to eat, and some is grown to display. Homestead Popcorn does both. These small, mottled ears in a wild range of colors and they pop into genuinely delicious popcorn while doubling as some of the best autumn and holiday decor you can grow. Every year, saving a few ears for seed can turn up new color patterns you haven't seen before. This is open-pollinated seed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Grows Homestead Popcorn?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe home gardener wanting a popcorn that's as decorative as it is delicious.\u003cbr\u003eThe homesteader wanting an easy, productive crop for the pantry and the fall table.\u003cbr\u003eThe seed saver who enjoys watching new color patterns appear from year to year.\u003cbr\u003eThe crafter and decorator wanting colorful ears for autumn and holiday displays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat This Heirloom-Style Popcorn Actually Is\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eZea mays\u003c\/em\u003e var. \u003cem\u003eeverta\u003c\/em\u003e 'Homestead' is an open-pollinated popcorn developed on this homestead from a cross of three parents: Strawberry Popcorn, Dakota Black Popcorn, and an ancient Seneca variety. Plants grow 3.5 to 5 feet tall and generally produce two small ears each. Kernel colors vary widely from ear to ear, and most are mottled and speckled in a pattern that makes each ear one of a kind. Because the variety is open-pollinated and descended from several colorful parents, saved seed tends to bring new surprise patterns season after season. Grown as a warm-season annual, not frost-hardy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the Garden \u0026amp; Kitchen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePopping:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry the ears fully, shell the kernels, and pop them for fresh homemade popcorn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAutumn and holiday decor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Display the colorful ears in wreaths, centerpieces, and rustic arrangements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeed saving:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep a few ears each year to grow out and see what new patterns appear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHomestead pantry:\u003c\/strong\u003e Store dried kernels for popcorn through the winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChildren's garden project:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow for the fun of colorful ears and homemade popcorn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall gifts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Share dried ears or shelled popcorn as handmade seasonal gifts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Homestead Popcorn Seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart method:\u003c\/strong\u003e Direct sow outdoors after last frost, once soil has warmed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sprouts in 7 to 10 days in warm soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Germinates best between 60 and 85°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Space plants 10 to 12 inches apart in rows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting layout:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in blocks of several rows rather than a single row, since corn is wind-pollinated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fertile, well-drained soil supports the strongest growth and ear fill.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Consistent moisture, especially during tasseling and ear formation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Let ears mature and dry on the stalk, then pick once the husks are dry and papery.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCuring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Finish drying the ears in a warm, airy spot for several weeks before shelling and popping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIsolation note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep away from sweet corn and field corn, which can cross-pollinate and spoil popping quality.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grown as a warm-season annual; killed by frost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBefore You Close This Page\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is the popcorn that earns its spot twice, once on the table and once on the mantel. Homestead Popcorn offers mottled, multicolor ears on compact 3.5 to 5 foot plants that are easy to grow and generous with their harvest. Keep some ears for seed, and each year the colors may surprise you. Grow the popcorn that's delicious, decorative, and a little different every season.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"terramatergardens","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54557290529086,"sku":"11680","price":3.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/8836\/7166\/files\/1_4d2063ba-27be-440d-ae6c-d2fe44d42b74.png?v=1793754181","url":"https:\/\/www.terramatergardens.com\/products\/homestead-popcorn-seeds-open-pollinated","provider":"Terra Mater Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}