SORRY, SOLD OUT FOR 2010. (65-85 days) Aka Black Mexican. Pre-1860. An ancient corn purported to have been grown by the Aztecs over 2000 years ago, Black Aztec is, according to Taylor's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables , "an old and celebrated heirloom variety... (that is) almost legendary among old seedsmen." Eight-inch ears hold kernels that start out white and mature through purple to bluish-black. The plant itself grows to 5-6', and is very hardy and drought-tolerant. Its cobs are wonderful for fresh eating when white or ground as blue cornmeal when dry.
This is a very old dent corn, grown since at least 1845. Very tall (10-12’), sturdy stalks produce 12” cobs that are a beautiful dark red (hence the name). A later season corn, it needs 100-120 days to mature, but it is very drought-tolerant. The cobs are excellent for fall decorations, but they can also be eaten fresh when young or making red-flecked cornbread. Very rare.
(Sorghum vulgare) (105 days) Not actually corn, but a type of sorghum (a grain), this is the crop used to make "corn brooms" centuries ago. I'm offering a mix of a number of heirloom varieties that grow in shades of gold, bronze, brown, black, burgundy and cream. The colour deepens as the seed-heads mature. Grow your own corn broom or use the stalks for dried arrangements!
(80-100 days) Growing to 8', this old variety of sweet corn was very popular in the late 1800's. It gives good yields of very sweet and tender 6-8" cobs. It was also known as 'Shoe Peg', because its kernels are small and densely packed on the cob, not in rows. I believe that's because they look like they needed a shoe-peg to cram them in.
1890's. This is a breathtakingly-beautiful ornamental corn originally from Japan. A rainbow of colours, it sports variegated leaves striped with green, white, yellow and pink; dark purple tassels and burgundy kernels. Grow a rainbow! Colours develop better when widely spaced.
(85-90 days) One of the best-tasting and most ornamental flour corns around! Mandan Bride bears soft, multi-coloured ears that have kernels that are various beautiful combinations of purple, red, yellow, white and variegated. The ears grow to 8" and the stalks to 6'. An old heirloom from the Mandan First Nations people of North Dakota. Tolerates heat and humidity well and ripens well in short-season areas. This one will do well in markets.
SORRY SOLD OUT FOR 2010. (80-90 days) Not a heirloom, but so beautiful I couldn’t resist, this all-around corn is the most widely adapted and genetically diverse corn available. Dave Christenson developed this variety over 20 years from a number of old native varieties. A very early producer, it is extremely hardy and tolerates poor soils. Narrow, 7” cobs come in an array of colours – oranges, golds, reds and purples – with each ear having its own unique colour combinations. Perfect for fall decorating, flour and also for eating fresh!
(80 – 100 days) (Aka ‘Dwarf Strawberry’ ‘Two-Inch Strawberry’) Although chiefly grown as an ornamental corn, this heirloom’s cobs do indeed make great popcorn. Its 4-5’ stalks produce 2-4 ears per stalk – tiny (2-3”) ears that are shaped like strawberries and are a deep red colour. Beautiful.
