Corn Tom Thumb Popcorn - Ferme de Sainte Marthe Seeds

'Tom Thumb' Popcorn is an early-cropping dwarf variety that grows to 50 cm in height. Ideal for growing in pots! Each plant produces 2 ears. The dried kernels are perfect for making popcorn. Sow in May and harvest from August to October.

Corn (Zea mays) or maize belongs to the Gramineae family alongside wheat, barley and rice. It is highly nutritious, containing more protein and five times more fibre than rice. It is also an excellent source of B vitamins, vitamin C, minerals and trace elements. It has a low glycemic index.

Corn likes deep, light, cool soil that is rich in organic matter. It is a heat-loving plant that needs plenty of sunshine to grow. It can be used to create attractive borders around your vegetable garden and individual plots whilst providing valuable shade for vegetables such as lettuces or cabbages.

Harvesting: Corn is harvested about 3 months after sowing depending on the amount of sunshine and water it has received. The ears are ready to be picked when the silks start to turn brown and the kernels are well developed. Check for ripeness by piercing a kernel with your fingernail – it should be tender and milky.

Storing: after harvesting, remove the green husk that is wrapped around the ear. Use quickly, the fresher the better! Corn can also be cooked and frozen or preserved in jars for later use.

Good to know: Traditionally, maize crops were grown alongside squash and bean plants in Central and South America in a system known as Milpa agriculture. Beans would enrich the soil with nitrogen, squash plants would act as ground cover and maize plants would provide support for the beans to scramble up. Start out by sowing your maize plants. When they are about 10 cm tall, sow 2 bean seeds and 2 squash seeds around each young plant.

NB. Organic seeds (in French "AB" for "Agriculture Biologique") are produced from plants that aren't treated with phytosanitary products (insecticides, weed killers). The seeds do not undergo post-harvest treatment. They carry the AB label and are approved by Ecocert, an independent structure.