key growing information

Growing Ornamental & Dry Field Corn (Zea mays)

How to grow ornamental, popcorn and flour corn: soil temperature, early planting for dry ears, spacing, pest control, harvest, curing and seeding rates.

By Hensley’s Seed Co. September 3, 2026

Ornamental & Dry Field Corn - Key Growing Information

Ornamental corn, which provides a useful filler or background item in fall harvest displays.

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Zea mays

CULTURE:

Ornamental and field corn tolerate slightly cooler planting conditions than sweet corn, which does best once the soil is at least 60°F (16°C).

DAYS TO MATURITY:

Counted from direct sowing. Weather and planting date shift maturity a great deal, so use these numbers to compare varieties rather than to predict an exact harvest day.

DIRECT SEEDING:

Plant early so the kernels have time to mature and dry down fully. Plant ¾–1" deep, 6–7" apart (or 2 seeds every 9", later thinned to one), in rows 30–36" apart; sow a little more heavily if the seed is untreated. Corn is wind-pollinated, so plant in blocks of at least 4 rows to get well-filled ears. You can keep planting into early summer, and many growers stretch the season by growing several varieties with different maturity dates.

AVG. DIRECT SEEDING RATE:

Popcorn: ¾ lb. sows about 1,800' and 1 lb. about 2,400'; plan on 6 lb. (about 28,800 seeds) per acre at 2 seeds per foot in rows 36" apart. Ornamental, flour and cornmeal types: ¾ lb. sows about 600' and 1 lb. about 800'; plan on 18¼ lb. (about 29,200 seeds) per acre at the same spacing.

INSECT PESTS AND DISEASE:

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) controls corn borers and earworms. For borers, the most effective step is to plow under or remove and compost stalks soon after harvest. Wireworms in the roots come from undecomposed organic matter, such as recently turned sod or tilled-in mulch, and are rarely a problem in soil with stable humus. Your local Cooperative Extension office can advise on integrated pest management. To keep raccoons out, a 3-strand electric fence with wires spaced 3–4" apart usually works.

HARVEST:

Pick ears once the kernels are hard and shiny and the husks have mostly dried. If needed, husk them and finish drying under cover. Popcorn must be fully mature (hard and glossy) or it won't pop well. After husking, spread ears in a dry, airy spot to cure for several weeks. Popcorn pops best at 13–14.5% moisture; test-pop a few kernels now and then to know when it's dry enough to store on or off the cob.

SEED SPECS:

Varies by variety; see each product page.

PACKET:

100 seeds per packet, enough for about 50'.