How to grow, harvest and give popcorn in Northeast Ohio

Popcorn is much more forgiving to harvest compared to sweet corn

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Our understanding of American history is undergoing some overdue scrutiny, but it is still safe to say that our Thanksgiving commemorates harvest feasts among Native Americans and English settlers. What they actually ate is a matter of debate, as well, but documents from the time show that one reason for the colonists’ gratitude is their success in growing corn with the help of their Native American friends.

Corn, or maize, was first grown in the Americas at least 8,000 years ago. The most common type for home gardeners to grow is sweet corn, which is the delicious variety we eat on the cob. Other varieties include dent or field corn, flour corn, and today's subject: popcorn.

Responding to my call for harvest photos several weeks ago, reader Jim Creech shared his popcorn photos and observed that it is easier to grow than sweet corn. He grows the usual home vegetables as well as uncommon backyard foods such as apples, popcorn, and asparagus in his Rocky River garden, and like so many of us, started gardening at a young age thanks to a parent. "My mom, Marcie, was an avid gardener and she passed the blessing to me," he explains. "She could turn the yellow clay of Bay Village into rich soil in no time and tended a tiny 3x10 foot plot along our driveway. Now each spring I plant for her out of thanks and respect, and in turn I teach our daughters how to grow food. It's a cycle.

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According to Jim, popcorn and sweet corn have similar planting and growing needs, and we will talk about that process in the spring, as well as some of Jim's interesting ideas about edible landscaping, such as growing corn as a privacy screen around a patio. But for those of you who like to spend winter evenings planning next year's garden, today's article highlights some of the differences between growing sweet corn and popcorn.

Corn stalks can be grown as a summer privacy screen

One important feature for Northeast Ohio gardeners is that popcorn can be planted in temperatures slightly cooler than sweet corn, which does best when soil temperatures are at least 65°F. Our soil is also usually wet enough in the spring that soaking the kernels before planting is unnecessary. Another important tip: Do not plant popcorn and sweet corn within 100 feet of each other. Jim notes, "They will cross pollinate, and your sweet corn will taste like sawdust. I learned this the hard way."

Wait, wait, wait to harvest

Popcorn is harvested after the stalks and husks have turned brown

What interested me most about Jim's description of popcorn growing is that, unlike sweet corn's narrow harvest window of a day or two (which I always miss), popcorn is far more forgiving. Popcorn husks should be left on the stalk until fully mature. In fact, you want to wait until the stalk and husks are yellow to light brown in color and the kernels are hard and shiny.

Jim explains his harvesting test as follows: "Peel back a husk to reveal the top few rows of kernels. Use your fingernail to try to ‘pop’ a kernel. If you can slice into one, leave it on the stalk. Wait until kernels are hard as…well, popcorn." He recommends waiting until all the popcorn stalks has dried out so they can be harvested all in one day.

Removing the kernels from the corn occurs after they have dried on the stalk

Removing the kernels from the cob

After harvest, the hard kernels pose a challenge to remove from the cob. Jim tried every gadget available to "decob" popcorn—"one kernel at time by hand, wooden blocks, knives…but they are either too slow, too painful, or too messy." Then he devised a method for removing all kernels from the ear in seconds using large-diameter PVC pipe, drilling some holes, and inserting screws. He pushing the cob into the pipe while turning it back and forth, "sort of like using a scrub brush to wash the inside of a tube," then pulling out the stripped cob and the kernels falling into a large bowl or bucket. Jim has posted an impressive short video of his method on YouTube (available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3XThQR1aGo or by searching "Popcorn Decobbing Method – Rooting Interest").

Storage: Moisture content is key

Although easier to grow than sweet corn, popcorn storage requires a little know-how and precision. Popcorn pops because water inside the kernels turns to steam when heated and pops the kernel open. If popcorn has too much moisture, it will burn when popped, but if it has too little, it will not be fluffy after popping.

Jim says that the ideal moisture content of popcorn is 13 to 14.5 percent. This number sounds very precise, and in fact, Jim uses an inexpensive electronic moisture meter, found in most home improvement stores, and pokes it in kernels while they are still on the cob. Once harvested, he stores kernels in mason jars or large sealable plastic containers to keep the moisture levels consistent.

Popcorn can be used as decoration--and then taken down and eaten

Edible decoration and gift

Of course, once it is in a mason jar, it is a perfect gift for the holidays; make labels to add a personal touch or just tie a ribbon to it. According to Jim, "Folks love that it is local, homegrown, keto-friendly, low-fat, whole grain, nonpartisan, and dolphin safe." Noting the variety of colors that popcorn kernels come in, I asked if there was any difference in flavor and he said that they all taste the same once they are popped. There is a metaphor in there somewhere.

Jim also touted the terrific home decorations that can be made from corn cobs and corn stalks, and unlike sweet corn, "the great part is when it comes down you can pop it and eat it. Name me another decoration that make that claim!"

Popcorn seeds for growing are readily available through most seed catalogs. Jim's popcorn seed has been handed down through three generations but he recommends any seed that is suited for Zone 6.

Thank you to Jim for sharing his corn-y insights and photos to our winter gardening dreams. If you have any questions or suggestions, please email me at [email protected].

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