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Growing Inspiration Hybrid Corn in the Vegetable Garden

Plant your seeds after the last frost when the soil has warmed to at least 60 F. Corn does not tolerate frost and warm soil is crucial for proper germination. The optimal germination temperature is 86 F. Plant the seeds 1-1.5 inches deep, about 3-4 inches apart in rows spaced 24-36 inches. This spacing allows for easy access and good airflow. Once the seedlings are 3 to 4 inches tall, thin them out to 10-15 inches apart to ensure that only the strongest plants remain and are spaced adequately.

Planting corn in blocks of at least three to four rows rather than a single long row is essential. This block planting ensures better pollination because corn is wind-pollinated. A close proximity increases the chances of pollen from the tassels reaching each silk and fertilizing the kernels.

Corn needs a lot of moisture to grow, especially during the silk and tassel development period. Ensure about an inch of water per week, more if the weather is particularly hot or dry. Corn is a heavy feeder, particularly of nitrogen. Side-dress the plants with a high-nitrogen fertilizer when they are about knee-high and again when they start producing tassels. Keep the area around the corn free from weeds, which compete for nutrients and water.

Following the "Three Sisters" method, planting beans and squash with corn can benefit the growth of all three plants. Beans fix nitrogen in the soil beneficial for corn, while squash acts as a living mulch, suppressing weeds and keeping the soil moist. Other good companion plant options include cucumbers and peas. Avoid planting tomatoes and corn together as they can attract pests that are harmful to each other.

Harvesting Inspiration Hybrid Corn

You can tell it's ready to harvest when the silks at the end of the ear turn dark and dry out, and the kernels are plump and milky. This typically happens about 20 days after the first silks appear. To check, gently peel back part of the husk and press a kernel with your fingernail. If the liquid that comes out is milky, it’s ready; if it’s clear, the corn needs more time. To harvest, grip the ear and twist it downward while pulling it away from the stalk. It should snap off cleanly at the base.

About Inspiration Hybrid Corn Garden Seeds

As a sweet variety, Inspiration F1 corn contains more sugar than traditional field corn varieties. The sugar in sweet corn starts converting to starch as soon as it is harvested, so for the sweetest taste, it’s best to cook it as soon as possible after picking. Although, this variety is known for its great quality over the first week after harvesting.

One of the primary reasons for breeding this variety was to enhance its sweetness and improve the texture of the kernels, making them tender and ideal for fresh consumption right off the cob.

The high yield and uniformity in ear size that Inspiration Corn provides are crucial for commercial success and ease of harvesting. This variety is recommended for fresh market suppliers.

Inspiration F1 is widely loved for southern farm stands. The beautiful cobs sell remarkably well and retain their sweetness long enough for the customer to purchase and process the food and still be wildly satisfied.

Stories From Our Gardeners

"Freshly harvested and then cooked corn on the cob in the summertime is truly one of life's most intense simple joys. If you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing this, do yourself a favor and grow sweet corn this year!"

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

• Jay Wagner - 2022 Scholarship Winner - The Diversity Of Corn

Inspiration Hybrid Corn Seeds Per Package:

• 18 g packet - Wholesale - Approximately 115 Seeds
• 4 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 728 Seeds
• 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 2,912 Seeds
• 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 14,560 Seeds
• 25 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 73,800 Seeds

Non-GMO Inspiration F1 Hybrid Corn seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.