Early Iroquois Sweet Corn (Ashworth)
Corn, Ashworth (Early Iroquois Sweet Corn)
(Zea Mays) Corn is cultivated globally and is a significant staple in many cultures. Its total production is even greater than wheat and rice! Sweet corn was the first gift offered to the settlers by the Iroquois. This gift carried with it all the generosity, knowledge and wisdom surrounding agricultural practices and survival techniques. Corn is one of the three sisters (corn, pole beans and squash), a common and significant planting trio in Indigenous agriculture. The three work in symbiosis, while also demonstrating the principles of reciprocal relationship. To the Iroquois/Haudenosaunee people, the three sisters are the sustainers of life, connecting to their origin story.
Very early maturing sweet corn adapted by New York resident Fred Ashworth. In the grass family (poaceae), stalks average 5' with 1 or 2 ears (6-7" long, 12 rows). 10-14 days to germinate, 69-75 days to maturation (depending on growing conditions). Harvest when milk is creamy looking. If milk is clear, it is not ready. If you are unsure, raw ears are safe to taste-test: it should taste sweet. Great for short season growing. General research suggests avoiding planting with tomatoes. Potential beneficial companions include: marigolds, beans, cucumbers, melons and potatoes. We have only tried beans, potatoes, squash, sunflowers, and peppers so far.
Planting suggestions:
Planting Season: Direct sow in the ground, after the danger of frost has passed.
Soil Requirement: pH 6.5-6.8, well drained and nutrient-rich soil.
Light Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Corn can require a lot of water, especially at planting time. Mulch will help with water retention.
Plant Spacing: 3-4 seeds per foot in rows 15″-30″ apart; thin to 8″-12″ apart in a row. This resource from Native Seeds/SEARCH can help you plant a Three Sisters garden, which is how we choose to plant our corn seeds.
Planting Depth: 1” deep
Seed Collection and Processing:
Seed Pollination: Mostly wind pollinated; corn needs enough plants near each other to produce well. For genetically stronger seed you want 100+ plants.
Seed Collection: The seeds are the corn kernels. Wait until the husks dry and turn brown, seeds will be hard. We have also harvested corn ears earlier (when seeds were part way shriveled/hardened) to prevent bug/mold damage. Remove the ears from the stalk, strip off the husk, and continue to let dry. When the seeds are hard, they will be easy to remove from the cob. Use a hammer or hard object to smash a few kernels - if they shatter the kernels are dry enough to store. If they smoosh, keep drying them.
Seed Processing: Remove all remaining husk to clean.
Seed Storage: Keep in an airtight container and store in a dark, cool and dry place.
Seed Viability: 2-4 years. Some of our corn seed has close to 100% viability even after 5 years. You can viability test your seed if desired.
Note: For home gardening, it is recommended you save 50-100 corn kernels, to ensure plant viability. For larger scale gardening, save at least 200 kernels per corn variety.
Contains 40 seeds.
