Overview

Embark on a journey through agricultural history with our Oaxacan Green Corn seeds. This remarkable heirloom variety, deeply rooted in American Indian traditions, offers a unique opportunity to cultivate a piece of living heritage in your own garden. Known for its striking green, blue, gold, and yellow kernels, this corn is not only visually stunning but also highly versatile. Originating from Oaxaca, Mexico, this historic corn is an open-pollinated variety, ensuring that you can save seeds year after year and preserve its unique genetic lineage. Perfect for traditional Three Sisters planting, where corn, beans, and squash grow symbiotically, these seeds are a fantastic choice for gardeners interested in sustainable practices and preserving biodiversity. The vigorous climbing growth habit makes it suitable for various garden setups, thriving both indoors and outdoors in appropriate climates.

Key Benefits

Cultivating Oaxacan Green Corn seeds offers a variety of rewarding benefits for both the gardener and the environment.

• Rich Heritage: Grow a piece of history with these heirloom seeds, preserving traditional American Indian agricultural practices and supporting biodiversity. This historic variety is known for its resilience and unique characteristics developed over generations.
• Versatile Use: The kernels are excellent for making flour, masa, and other culinary creations, providing a nutritious and flavorful harvest. Additionally, the vibrant, multi-colored ears make for beautiful ornamental displays and seasonal decorations.
• Three Sisters Garden Compatible: Ideal for companion planting with beans and squash, promoting a healthier ecosystem and increased yields. The corn stalks provide a natural trellis for climbing beans, while squash shades the soil, suppressing weeds and retaining moisture.
• Easy to Grow: These heirloom corn seeds are known for their adaptability and ease of cultivation, making them suitable for gardeners of all experience levels. With proper care, even beginners can achieve a successful harvest.
• Open-Pollinated: Save your own seeds season after season, maintaining the genetic purity of this unique variety and ensuring a continuous supply for future planting. This characteristic is vital for those interested in sustainable gardening.
• Drought Resistant: Once established, Oaxacan Green Corn exhibits good drought resistance, making it a robust choice for various climates and reducing the need for excessive watering. This feature contributes to its low-maintenance appeal.
• Attractive Foliage and Ears: Beyond its culinary value, the mature plants and their colorful ears add significant aesthetic appeal to any garden landscape, making it a dual-purpose plant for food and beauty.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

For successful cultivation of your Oaxacan Green Corn seeds, follow these essential care and growing tips. Plant after the last frost, when soil temperatures consistently reach 60-65°F (15-18°C). Choose a location that receives full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Adequate sunlight is crucial for proper development and kernel formation. The ideal soil type is well-draining loam, but these seeds are adaptable to various soil types including chalk, clay, peat, saline, and silt, as long as they offer good drainage. A neutral soil pH is preferred for optimal growth. Prepare the soil by incorporating organic matter to improve fertility and drainage. Plant seeds about 1 inch deep and 6-8 inches apart in rows, with rows spaced 30-36 inches apart. For better pollination, plant corn in blocks rather than single long rows.

Watering requirements are medium; keep the soil consistently moist, especially during germination and the silking and tasseling stages, which are critical for ear development. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Fertilize with a balanced organic fertilizer at planting and again when the plants are about knee-high. This American Indian corn is an annual crop, completing its life cycle within one growing season. It exhibits a climbing growth habit, making it suitable for companion planting. The cultivating difficulty is easy, making it accessible even for novice gardeners. With features like cold resistance, drought resistance, and being open-pollinating, this corn is a robust choice for many growing environments. Monitor for common corn pests and diseases, and address them promptly with organic solutions.

Size & Details

This offering includes 300 Oaxacan Green Corn seeds, providing ample opportunity for a bountiful harvest. Each seed has the potential to grow into a robust corn stalk, typically reaching heights of 6-8 feet, depending on growing conditions and climate. The ears produced will feature a captivating mix of green, blue, gold, and yellow kernels, making each harvest a colorful surprise. This historic corn variety is known for its vigorous growth and ability to produce medium-sized ears, perfect for grinding into flour or for ornamental use. As an annual plant, it completes its life cycle within one growing season, typically maturing in 80-100 days from planting. The seeds are fresh and ready for planting, offering a high germination rate for a successful crop. This traditional historic corn variety is delivered as a seed packet, ready for you to sow directly into your garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How many Oaxacan Green Corn seeds are included? A: This package contains 300 Oaxacan Green Corn seeds, providing a generous quantity for planting a significant patch in your garden or sharing with fellow growers. This amount is ideal for multiple plantings or for ensuring a robust harvest.
• Q: What is the typical height of mature Oaxacan Green Corn plants? A: When fully grown, Oaxacan Green Corn plants typically reach a height of 6 to 8 feet. This makes them suitable for providing natural support in a Three Sisters garden setup, where beans can climb their sturdy stalks.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Oaxacan Green Corn seeds are primarily intended for outdoor cultivation, thriving in full sun and open garden spaces. While it can be started indoors in pots, it requires transplanting outdoors to reach its full potential.
• Q: How much sunlight does Oaxacan Green Corn need? A: This corn variety requires full sun exposure, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, for optimal growth and ear development. Ensure it is planted in a location free from significant shade.
• Q: Is this corn variety easy to care for? A: Yes, Oaxacan Green Corn is considered easy to cultivate. It’s a resilient heirloom variety that adapts well to various conditions, making it suitable for gardeners of all experience levels. It’s a great choice for those new to growing corn.
• Q: What condition will the seeds arrive in? A: The heirloom corn seeds will arrive in a protective seed packet, ensuring their freshness and viability. They are carefully packaged to maintain quality during transit and are ready for immediate planting upon arrival.
• Q: Can I use Oaxacan Green Corn for culinary purposes? A: Absolutely! The kernels of Oaxacan Green Corn are excellent for making flour, masa, and other traditional culinary dishes. They offer a unique flavor profile and add vibrant color to your cooking.
• Q: When is the best time to plant Oaxacan Green Corn seeds? A: The best time to plant these historic corn variety seeds is after the last danger of frost has passed in your region, typically when soil temperatures consistently reach 60-65°F (15-18°C). This ensures optimal germination and growth.
• Q: What kind of soil does Oaxacan Green Corn prefer? A: This corn prefers well-draining, fertile soil with a neutral pH. It can tolerate various soil types, including loam, clay, and sand, as long as good drainage is provided. Amending with organic matter is always beneficial.
• Q: Will this corn grow well in a Three Sisters garden? A: Yes, Oaxacan Green Corn is an excellent choice for a Three Sisters garden. Its strong stalks provide a natural trellis for climbing beans, while the corn benefits from the nitrogen fixed by beans and the ground cover provided by squash.