Harvesting and Curing Popcorn

[@markfarner1331]

ThanX a heap Rick, we appreciate your expertise and will do our diligence to get as much of our four 20' rows harvested. We planted heirloom popcorn we purchased from the Amish community here in Northern Michigan... the raccoons gave us a little trouble but we put a hot wire and some cayenne around the crop and so far it's working 🙏

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@janettuchscher2536]

Thank you! You helped me to move forward with the popcorn that's been harvested but sitting in a bucket in the kitchen. I grew Early Pink Popcorn this year for the first time. I planted three short rows in a 4 x 8 bed at my community gardens. I shared about 30 percent of the crop with some aggressive squirrels but managed to save the rest!

[@massagetech2982]

Thank you! Growing some rainbow gem for popping corn. This video will help so much!

[@rogerlee7977]

I am growing both popcorn and sweet corn. First grew sweet corn and now it is one month from harvest. Started popcorn which has 100 day to harvest. It will not cross pollinate because the sweet corn will be done long before the popcorn tassels.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

This is a great method of avoiding cross pollination if you have a long growing season! Unfortunately for us we only have about 120 total frost free so it is a little tougher to do it that way.

[@amylynch5436]

I use a cheese spreading knife and hold the cob in a large plastic bag. Run the dull knife blade up and down the cob. It’s fast and no more blisters.

[@rosesallotmentadventures9365]

Thank you for this. We've grown popcorn for the first time this year. We are in the UK and the rain hasn't let up so I've harvested our cobs even though they're a little green. will hang them as you suggest. Looking forward to our first poppings!

[@haydenmurphy2120]

How were your first poppings???????

[@rosesallotmentadventures9365]

@@haydenmurphy2120 we made a video on it kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpCXZK1qipKjgKc Last year we had a change and grew glass gem corn and have a video on that too.

[@happeedaze1]

Awesome! Thank you.💛 we grew popping corn and sweet corn together so I guess we will have lots of popcorn to give away for Christmas lol we know now for next time 😀

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Did they tastle at the same time? If they were pollinating at different times you might be okay.

[@anonz975]

A hot car would make the drying process go much faster especially if the kernels were loose. That is how I dry all herbs and a lot of other stuff in the summer, herbs are done in a day or less.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

That's not a bad idea. But for us by the time popcorn is ready to harvest It's cold and we really don't have a hot car any more.

[@danniosgood1362]

Hey this was awesome! Planted popcorn for the first time this year. I will check out your other videos as well. Thanks a bunch!!!!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad I could help.

[@denisepresland6081]

Great video, thanks. You didn't mention how you get the corn off the cobs. When doing a lot of them is there a fast method for this?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Here's a video showing what I do: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6qclYdnrbyDoNE

[@grantp4022]

Is there different types of popcorn ? I wonder, the popcorn this year seems to be very dry and tough after you pop it. My brother said the same thing,he orders his popcorn from a different place, rather than here in Canada. Is there different grades of popcorn ? and which areas grow the best popcorn ? You seem very knowledgeable on corns, so maybe you know the answer ?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

I think it would just be the variety of popcorn you chose. We grow a couple of different varieties and one of the varieties we grow is also a little "tougher". We really like yellow hulless it produces a nice light popped kernel. But it is hybrid so you can't save the seeds to plant next year.

[@grantp4022]

@@StoneyAcresGardening thanks for reply and where can I buy yellow hulless type of popcorn ? do you sell it ?

[@prolificallybloom1095]

Thank you for sharing! How do you clean the popcorn before cooking?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

No need to clean, just pop it.

[@prolificallybloom1095]

@@StoneyAcresGardening lol okay thank you! ☺️

[@kondananingulube900]

Here in zambia pipo say u wish them and dry the them

[@missbritt288]

Ive got a popcorn plant ... It was grown on the fire escape of my NYC apartment . Its turning brown around the edges , and the bottom leaves look shriveled .. I need to save it .. Its about to get winter around here ... The only thing i can think of is buying a heat lamp for it .

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Popcorn is an annual plant. They only last one season. Your plant is just dying as it normally should. Replant new seed next year. And I would do more than one plant next year.

[@sheenc7759]

What if the husks are still green before frost? We have to pick now and they havn't even finished growing.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Well you can leave them out after the frost and see if they ripen. But it sounds like next year you need to get them planted a little sooner or try a shorter maturity length variety. I plant mine right on my last frost date in the spring.

[@sheenc7759]

@@StoneyAcresGardening we are in upstate ny. We grew glass popcorn shipped from the southwest. We have a really short growing season but I thought they would make it. Will the frost kill/destroy the popcorn? Should I pick the bigger cobs and hang them?

[@chathushkisamaratunga2850]

Hi, i have some kernels with me and tried to make popcorn,but just burnt d kernals , didn't pop. Can you give me tips to how to make it pop.

[@JacksonClan11]

How do you keep critters from eating it while waiting for it to dry on the stalks?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

The Stalks don't have to dry, just the ears! I don't have many critter issues. What eats you corn? Maybe I can give you some pointers.

[@JacksonClan11]

@@StoneyAcresGardening this is actually our first time growing it. I have a fence up so I'm hopeful. I've just read so many stories of all the corn disappearing over night because of deer or racoons or squirrels, so I'm nervous. My kids have worked hard on the garden and they are so excited about pop corn!

[@pattiannepascual]

Thank you for this excellent video.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You're welcome

[@chrislavas9461]

Can you cut the entire plant down and let it dry out or should you wait for it to dry out while still in the ground?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

I leave them in the ground until frost is coming, then I pull the ears off and bring them inside to cure.

[@MrCntryjoe]

I've stored popcorn too long is dry. What can I do to add moisture to make pop.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

I've read that you can put it in a jar and add a teaspoon of water and shake it up. Let it sit for a day and try to pop it again.

[@oscarlabala721]

Thank you, is another idea.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You are welcome!

[@oscarlabala721]

@@StoneyAcresGardening thank you, l need more ideas I'm growing popcorn in Liberia Ganta Nimba County.

[@ajp5527]

Some of my popcorn has white powder (I’m assuming mold or mildew). However it’s only on one part of the corn. Should I throw the whole thing away or dry it, keep the good kernels, and discard the bad kernels?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

If you think it really is mold or mildew then I would throw them out.

[@charliewilliams8794]

Can you grow popcorn in your front yard and reg corn in your back yard? Like having your house between the two would maybe stop cross pollinating. I was thinking of doing a few in a 15 gal grow bag. But my reg corn ill be growing in my backyard 4×8 raised bed if this won't fix it maybe I can get my son to grow it at his home b cuz I love corn and grow it every year and it takes up to much space to messed it up lol thanks

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

I'm going to answer with a big MAYBE. It will depend a lot on what your winds are like. The sweet corn won't hurt the popcorn, but the popcorn could mess with the sweet corn. Really I think you would be okay, so give it a try this year and see what happens.

[@charliewilliams8794]

@@StoneyAcresGardening thank you,I think I'll try to do it like 4 wks apart so maybe they won't be pollinating at the same time. I got the mine blue popcorn ive never grown it before so im gonna have to do a little more research about how long it takes from seed to silk I guess. But thank you so much imma be checking out your other videos

[@sherijohnson8497]

When you are curing the popcorn, does temperature of the location matter? If I have the popcorn curing in my detached garage and it is snowing outside, will that cause problems?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Humidity will affect it. So it depends on what your winter weather is like. Even though we have snow, our cold is "dry" so we are okay. If your air is mostly dry in early winter you should be fine. If not u may want to bring them inside.

[@annekerr2150]

The squirrels are terrorizing my corn. Could I cut the whole stalk and cure them like that?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

No as far as I've been taught they need to cure on the plant.

[@annekerr2150]

Thanks 😊 🙏

[@jennwaldal7221]

Very informative video. Thanks!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You're very welcome!!

[@billsmith6130]

So don’t pick it till husks are dry?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Correct!

[@bills3851]

I have some mold on the ends of my curing cobs, are they toast? Thank you!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

If it were me I would just cut the moldy part off. But that is totally up to you.

[@bills3851]

ourstoneyacres thanks! I’m good with cutting off the ends

[@kaczara13]

ok IM popping. adn my air popper its not popping at all. in pan with oiL? barely half. sounds like too dry? how do I get more moisture back in?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

That could be the case! The magic number is 14% moisture content. There is a time consuming way to measure the moisture content. But a quicker idea is to put the popcorn in a jar. For every cup of popcorn add 1 teaspoon of water. Put on a lid, then shake it up. Let it sit on the counter for 1-3 days and then try again. If it is popping now then store it in the freezer. I suggest you test this out with a cup or so of popcorn first to be sure that is the problem.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Let me know how it goes, cause this is only book knowledge for me because we have never had a problem getting ours to pop.

[@kaczara13]

@@StoneyAcresGardening thanks I read that so I m trying it will recheck in 3 days. hate to toss it out.!

[@CODstreamz]

@@kaczara13 did it work?

[@kaczara13]

@@CODstreamz no I had barely 1/2 pop and partially I retried I added water in jar. I tossed it gave to deer

[@evab67]

I planted pink popping corn and peaches and cream corn right next to each other . Is that a problem 😱 i hope not 😓

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Yes you shouldn't plant popcorn and sweet corn within 100 feet of each other, they will cross pollinate and the popcorn can ruin the sweet corn.

[@evab67]

@@StoneyAcresGardening ohhh no I wish I knew this 😩 they are right next to each other

[@oliviagrenter6752]

Any suggestions on easily removing the kernels?? My thumbs are tired!! Lol!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Actually yes. I have a little wedge shaped piece of wood I use to scrape them off. I will try to get a video out on it in the next week or 2.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Olivia, I got that video film. Go watch this one to learn how I remove the kernels. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6qclYdnrbyDoNE

[@alexlhickey]

I grew popcorn this year but got it in quite late after a wet spring. The husks are not dry yet, in fact I don’t even think it’s completely mature, but we’re coming up on frost this weekend. Should I harvest it and just eat it fresh? Do you think it is worth bothering trying to cure any?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Popcorn won't be good to eat fresh. I would just leave it out for as long as possible and then bring it in and let it dry and see what happens.

[@alexlhickey]

ourstoneyacres thank you! Very kind of you to reply!

[@rendydddd]

Can I boil it and make soup?or mash?

[@madeleinepettigrew1033]

Well, if you grow popcorn you will get corn that is really only good for popping. If you want corn for soup or mash go for a sweet corn or standard corn. I grow the corn variety "bodacious" sweet corn and I've found it easy to grow, but I don't know yet what it tastes like, I'm planning on fire roasting it. I also grow mini pink popcorn and make sure if you grow pop and sweet corn keep them apart! Corn cross pollenates really easily and it messes up the corns by making impure franken-corn.

[@rendydddd]

@@madeleinepettigrew1033 thank you for reply, I was planning to make some corn-base tortilas, but the soil I planned to grow it in was too poor so my corn grew small with almost no corn grains, but again, thank you for reply.

[@madeleinepettigrew1033]

@@rendydddd You are welcome. That's too bad your soil was poor. I have three small and one bigger raised gardening beds and i find that they really help me control the quality of the soil, considering i have clumpy undraining clay soil in big patches of the yard. But it can be hard rejuvenating the earth. Getting sacks of clover seed to spread is sometimes cheap from horse supply shops and as the clover grows it brings nitrogen into the soil, and hollyhock plants have deep roots that pull nutrients from down in the earth up to the top. My sweet corn is paling and brownish, but i fertilized them and they luckily seem to be getting better...

[@rendydddd]

@@madeleinepettigrew1033 What a coincidece, only plant I can grow here is hollyhock, specificaly the black one.

[@madeleinepettigrew1033]

@@rendydddd That is quite the coincidence! I have several nigra (a black variety) holly hocks and out of all my hollyhock types the black ones sprouted the best.

[@nightpower322]

grate video

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thanks

[@shandelcleary3246]

Great video! Can you use the hill method with sweet corn as well? Also I know green beans are corns companion plant, do you think planting pole beans in between the hills will work out? I know it’s been said that the corn stalks can be used for the beans to grow on.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Yes this method works equally well with sweet corn and yes you can plant pole beans with them at the base of the hills.

[@dylandebackere4742]

Can I dry it in a greenhouse

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

As long as it is humid inside it should be fine.

[@joepeckis2445]

Nice thanks

[@sandyrees490]

What variety of popcorn are you growing?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Yellow Hulless - It is a Hybrid unfortunately but we have found it grows the best in our area. We get our seed from Mountain Valley Seed Company.

[@docker5468]

Robust is a variety available in the UK

[@manojkumar7580]

Hii i need seed for growing this seed

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You should be able to find many different types of popcorn from seed sellers. Either online or through catalogs.

[@fannybuster]

I used seed right from Target.It was their off brand called Market Pantry Popcorn , the kind you pop..,I took about 2 handfulls and planted the seed and had a great crop.

[@tusk3260]

should call this: "How to make popcorn?" because as what we what we are looking for when we type how to make popcorn. Most videos tittled how to make popcorn are actually videos of how to cook popcorn and its so dam frustrating because thats not what we want to learn.... Everyone knows how to cook popcorn, theres even a popcorn button on most microwaves. We dont want videos of how to cook popcorn, we want videos of how to make popcorn!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thanks for the tip! And thanks for watching!

[@jakeyboy6142]

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