Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:22 pm
Growing popcorn at home can be a fun and rewarding gardening project. Here’s a step-by-step guide to growing popcorn from start to finish:
1. Choose the Right Variety:
- Start by selecting a popcorn variety suitable for your climate. Popular varieties include ‘Robust’ and ‘Strawberry.’
2. Prepare Your Garden Bed:
- Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil for your popcorn. Prepare the soil by amending it with compost or well-rotted manure to ensure it’s rich in nutrients.
3. Planting:
- Plant popcorn seeds directly in the garden bed when the soil temperature reaches around 50-55°F (10-13°C). Plant the seeds about 1-1.5 inches deep, spacing them 9-12 inches apart in rows, with 24-30 inches between rows.
4. Watering:
- Popcorn plants require consistent moisture, especially during the pollination period. Keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid waterlogged conditions.
5. Fertilizing:
- Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or compost at the time of planting. You can also side-dress with additional fertilizer when the plants are about 6-8 inches tall.
6. Weed Control:
- Keep the area around your popcorn plants weed-free to prevent competition for nutrients and water.
7. Support and Mulch:
- Popcorn plants can grow tall and may benefit from staking or support to prevent them from falling over. You can also mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
8. Pollination:
- Popcorn plants are wind-pollinated. To ensure good pollination and kernel development, it’s best to grow popcorn in multiple rows rather than a single row. Planting at least two rows close together helps the wind transfer pollen more effectively.
9. Harvesting:
- Popcorn is ready for harvest when the kernels are fully mature and hard. You can determine this by pressing your fingernail into a kernel; if it leaves a dent, the kernels are not ready. If there’s no dent, it’s time to harvest. The plants should be completely dry, and the husks should be brown. Typically, this is in late summer or early fall.
10. Drying and Shelling: – After harvesting, hang the ears in a dry, well-ventilated area to continue drying for a few weeks. Once they’re fully dried, you can remove the kernels from the ears. Store the dried kernels in a cool, dry place.
11. Popping Popcorn: – When you’re ready to enjoy your popcorn, heat a few kernels in a covered pan with oil until they pop. This helps you determine when the oil is hot enough. Add the rest of the kernels, and you have homemade popcorn!
Growing your own popcorn can be a fun and satisfying gardening project, and it’s a great way to enjoy a healthy, homegrown snack. Just remember to be patient and follow the guidelines for planting, harvesting, and storing to get the best results.