Growing Grain and Flour Corn (Planting to Harvest)

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homegrownhandg...
In this series we're going to show y'all how we eat from our gardens and the woods. From planting seeds to harvesting to cooking, we'll take you along for the whole journey. This week we're growing, harvesting and cooking grain corn!
Listen to more of Ethan's original music here: / lennoxec

[@rubygray7749]

I love to watch you two growing, harvesting and preparing these magnificent crops. The whole world is so enriched by the wide range of bountiful-yielding foods that originated in the Americas. Feeding oneself with nutrient dense staples is so much harder without corn, potatoes, beans and squash. And so much less flavoursome without tomatoes, tomatillos and chillies! I'm growing Glass Gem corn for the first time this year in Tasmania, where anything but supersweet fresh corn is a novelty. My summer frosts make this a dicey project. I'm stunned that many seeds sprouted up to 5 shoots! The smaller shoots yield small anomalous looking tiny cobs. But the main stems, 8 feet tall, have up to 5 cobs. The silks are beginning to turn brown, but the sheaths are still green, so I don't dare harvest one yet. I'm hoping they will continue growing and ripening even though the days are getting shorter fast, and some of the outer leaves are frost singed. I planted my seedlings too close together, though they seemed very sparse and lonely at first. Grew purple king beans up them, a good choice as I'd never have found green beans among the abundant corn leaves. Just two pepita squash rambling amongst them have produced several fruit each, only about rockmelon size, but again I'm hopeful that they ripen soon. I'm getting very hungry thinking about all this potential food!

[@SarahLovesFood]

We love homemade corn tortillas! We've been eating carnitas and birria tacos all week. I use store-bought dried masa, but maybe someday we'll try to grow our own grain corn.

[@davechristensen8299]

I am the guy who developed Painted Mountain Corn. I'm happy to see that you grew some. It won a major tortilla making contest, and tied for first place for flavor! You grow some large slow-maturing dent corn. You must live in climate with a longer season than I have in N. Montana.

[@HomegrownHandgathered]

Hey, great to hear from you! I knew your name looked familiar for some reason haha. Painted Mountain is definitely up at the top of our list for beautiful flour corns. We mostly grow Hopi Blue and Wapsie Valley which are both relatively quick for grain corn. Wapsie can produce a mature ear in about 85 days in our 6b climate.

[@HomegrownHandgathered]

Also, we bought some Montana Morado this year and gifted it to some of our friends to grow in their yard since we try to keep other corns away from our patches. Excited to see how it does here. Thanks for all your work!

[@davechristensen8299]

@@HomegrownHandgathered Let me know what the Hopi plant structure is like. In it's homeland the desert Southwest it grows short and compact. The leaves (nodes) are very close to each other "stacked". That makes it drought hardy. I live in Montana were droughts are taking over with global heating. My corns are among the most stress hardy in the world. I am wondering if I should make some crosses to Hopi for people needing to endure more heat in the future. So, I am wondering if Hopi keeps it's stout/sturdy/short plant structure for you, wherever it is that you live. Or does it grow tall and lanky when outside it's place of origin?

[@HomegrownHandgathered]

@@davechristensen8299 I wouldn't say it grows lanky here, but it's definitely not as compact as when I've seen people growing it in the Navajo nation and New Mexico. There's usually about 4 inches between each node and the final plant height averages maybe 6-7 feet. We're in Western PA (zone 6b) and get about 40 inches of rain per year It does tend to produce more tillers than other flour varieties we grow here which isn't a problem for us, but I can see how they might cause the plant to use water unnecessarily in a place where that's an issue.

[@davechristensen8299]

@@HomegrownHandgathered Thanks for telling me how Hopi corn does where you live. That was great information. That is exactly what I see it do in other places. Currently I am experimenting with Papago corn from Arizona, and Tuxpeno from Mexico to do cross breeding with. I am starting some new lines which will be needed as global heating escalates. I sound like a big breeder, but I live "on a shoestring!" I am not funded by anyone.

[@jep9092]

This is what corn should be. Not the crap we get from the store. My goal is to obtain land so i can grow food like this every year! ❤❤❤ Maybe i can buy some seeds of y'all 😂

[@clairekircher2215]

I really appreciate you guys, this is my first year really trying to grow food in Southern PA, I have a plot prepared for some corn but I haven't known where to start. You guys are providing an invaluable resource!! THANK YOU!!!

[@suzimasterson5730]

We are starting the as self sufficient as possible life now. No electric. No running water (we have a well). Nearly 1 acre of growing land. We started planting last week. I'm so excited to start this properly this winter when we have the benefits of our labour

[@beth8775]

You guys inspired me to order mushroom spawn! I'll be setting up 2 different types tomorrow. I'm also planning some 3 sisters mounds for the growing season.

[@bushpushersdaughter]

You can't know how much I enjoy your videos. The visuals (beautiful) with the music (so soothing) brings peace and inspiration to my soul. I think you've "made it"!

[@tereclemmer7923]

I enjoy your videos so much. Those tacos 🌮, those tacos 🌮. 😋

[@GrowCookPreserveWithKellyDawn]

I know that song now! Thanks for another enlightening video, guys. I'm planning to grow some dent corn this year and I appreciate the inspiration. I have gardened longer than you two have been alive, so that's saying a lot!

[@saraherber1887]

What beautiful ears you have! So interesting to know about cooking that corn first before grinding it makes for better nutrition. I remember putting ears in a Dutch oven on the woodstove for a time to dry them out. It made for easier shelling. I look forward to seeing your garden as it comes along. I pulled some breakfast radishes from the cold frame today and I thought of you two. What a fine team you make.

[@tigerguitara]

That’s beautiful corn!

[@hannahbingham2197]

I noticed you planted corn starts and not direct sown. Have you found you get better results from starting corn seeds and then transplanting? I’ve always heard that corn is usually direct sown. Thanks so much for the video and information!

[@HomegrownHandgathered]

It grows well either way, but it tends to get eaten by rodents in certain spots like the community gardens when we direct sow it so we start it in trays for them and the squirrels/rats leave it alone

[@davechristensen8299]

This is a very pleasurable and enjoyable video, while it teaches you how to feed yourself! I'm glad you emphasize grain, because grain is mankind's main food staple. Well done!

[@hannekevanlinge6810]

I don't know if you've covered it in another video, but the cornsilk is useful byproduct too, supporting the urinary tract, fighting inflammation, stabilising cholesterol - it's super easy to dry, store, and take as a tisane :-) Love your work!

[@Anne--Marie]

Thank you for a new word: tisane!

[@ilzitek2419]

I love your channel. You both are so down to earth. Your content grounds me. ❤

[@ImmortalLemon]

You know something I learned recently that still boggles my mind. Corn is botanically speaking, a fruit. I learned this like 3 months ago and it still bugs me

[@erinhowett3630]

If it needs a flower to be fertilized in order to grow, it’s a fruit. I always the difference in the foods we cook as fruit vs what is botanically a fruit to be really interesting.

[@midwestribeye7820]

Weird. I always thought it was a grain.

[@ImmortalLemon]

@@midwestribeye7820 it’s a grain in my eyes forever

[@ilzitek2419]

😮

[@twitchy_bird]

Yep, a weird grass who gives us fruits lol.

[@soniat1348]

Amazing, so brave and hard working ❤love u guys😊regards from Slovakia 😊😊

[@Madamoizillion]

A method I'd recommend for growing corn in blocks on a smaller scale is this, where you plant corn in 2-3 rows together and leave paths between the rows: 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🟫🟫🟫🟫🟫🟫🟫 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🟫🟫🟫🟫🟫🟫🟫 Etc... It's more efficient on space, and allows the corn more opportunity to pollinate each other while leaving space for squash vines and you to walk through. In my experience, grain corn can be planted more tightly than you've shown here and still grow well. If you offset the individual seed plantings of corn (So, diagonally instead of a grid) then that's an extra space bonus. Like this: . . . . . . . Since I haven't seen you talk about this in any of your other videos, I'm curious what methods you take to prevent cross pollination. Corn is very easy to cross pollinate since it is wind pollinated, but cross pollinating amongst different varieties of corn means you're genetically contaminating seeds that you're saving, either with different varieties of field corn or with sweet corn, which yields a completely unusable ear that's neither fresh and sweet nor dry and storable.

[@chloepritzl5538]

I just love your guys videos, brings me so much joy. And so relaxing in my hectic life. Q: how long do you soak the corn in pickling lime? Is there a specific ratio to follow as well? 😊

[@HomegrownHandgathered]

So glad to hear that! For the nixtamalization we usually use about a teaspoon of cal per cup of corn, but it’s not an exact science. Then we bring it to a boil and cook it for about 30 minutes, turn off the heat and let it soak overnight

[@chloepritzl5538]

@@HomegrownHandgathered wow, what a process. A labor of love forsure! ❤ We made maple syrup this year and learned it is also quite the process 😅

[@Cursedzeba]

Tried growing corn last year and while it did grow well it was planter out way too late. Planting it sooner this year and will also do the three sisters method too. Got a lot of work and hopefully this weekend we cam get the soil prepped and seeds planted soon as possible

[@erinhowett3630]

Have you considered hunting something besides just deer? Like duck or rabbit?

[@jimmysroom5132]

Rabbit is sacred.

[@SkycryEmpathy]

It’s true! Rabbits have the best fertilizer too! It’s a cold fertilizer so you can apply it directly without waiting. If nothing else for the fertilizer and urine they are totally worth it!

[@boxset666]

love your CR box

[@dranamarie]

❤️👍🏼

[@winterrose8174]

How many sq ft of growing space do you have?

[@happywildcrafty2719]

I just harvested my first ear of dent corn! 🎉 The kernels are hard but rubbery and I can feel moisture when I remove it from the cob. Should I dehydrate the kernels?

[@scarstrng2813]

love this guys

[@scottmartinezguitarandbass]

What is the grinder you're using to make the masa?

[@prettyflower999]

Is it possible to grow the edible corn fungus on your own corn? I forget if you guys have done that

[@HomegrownHandgathered]

Yup! We naturally get a little bit of Huitlacoche in our corn every year and we like to cook it up in quesadillas

[@laurenyury116]

With planting multiple varieties, how far apart do you try to seclude them from each other (to try and minimize the cross pollination)? Or is that something you don't worry about, because you're growing similar purpose varieties?

[@HomegrownHandgathered]

Good question. We actually have 2 community garden plots so we separate the varieties by growing them in totally different gardens. Otherwise they would likely cross pollinate and we wouldn’t really want to save seeds from them

[@adammartin9747]

Does sprouting corn then planting out work better for you than direct sowing?

[@HomegrownHandgathered]

It does for us because rodents like to dig up the seed in our garden when we direct seed it, but they usually leave it alone when we transplant it

[@dustysgarden2254]

What is the hand cranked machine? Where do we find one of those? ❤

[@Madamoizillion]

It's called a grain mill. That one's specifically a Wonder Mill Junior. Available to order online from the manufacturer. Not cheap, but a very durable tool and vital if you're going to be growing your own grain.

[@exodusfamilybelize]

@@Madamoizillion also great for making peanut butter.

[@AndrewGreenwood-i7i]

What different varieties are you growing and what zone are you in?

[@katiebreakell2716]

would you share what you use to grind the nixtamal? (new at this! planting grain corn this year!)

[@puggirl415]

I love your videos. It's great to see you getting so many new subscribers. I grew glass gem corn last season in my community garden plot. I believe this is a type of dent or seed corn. Do you know if it can be nixtamalized? I think I have enough to make maybe one meal of tamales or tortillas.

[@HomegrownHandgathered]

Thanks, glad you’re enjoying them! Yes, glass gem can be nixtamalized and used for tamales & tortillas. It’s not as light of a starch as a flour variety, but they’ll still be good. For really soft tortillas we’d recommend a flour corn like Hopi Blue or Painted Mountain

[@lornaj3310]

I'd love to hear more about the types of corn you use. Do you use dent corn for everything?

[@lornaj3310]

Also, I think it's wonderful you do sliding scales for SNAP and WIC. There's such need. You're doing good work out here 🥰🥰🥰

[@HomegrownHandgathered]

We also grow a lot of Hopi blue flour corn for tortillas and some heirloom popcorn, but this dent corn is one of our main staples because it’s just so reliable and full of protein & fat

[@lornaj3310]

@@HomegrownHandgathered I'll have to try it! I don't have a large patch and tried the hand-pollination this year like you guys had in one of your videos, but it was still so bad! I'm getting your course today! I'm gonna figure this out!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@HomegrownHandgathered]

@@lornaj3310 oh no, sorry to hear that! Sometimes the kernels can fail to develop even when they’re pollinated if it’s really dry. Was that maybe the issue? And that’s awesome that you’re starting the course! Remember you can message us directly through the course platform and it’s a little easier for us to keep up with questions on there if you have any others as you work through the material 🙂

[@lornaj3310]

@@HomegrownHandgathered Haha! Well I live in the desert Southwest so,maybe that's the issue! Thank you! I can't wait!

[@48512]

What's the name of the your hand cranked grinder?

[@roberttucker3322]

I’m growing grain corn in the uk this year. Glass gem and bloody butcher. How many plants do you grow in total for self sufficiency?

[@user-xu6op3dg9z]

What does sitting in the lime water overnight do for the corn?

[@HomegrownHandgathered]

Breaks down the hull and makes certain nutrients like vitamin B more digestible. It also changes the flavor. Corn tortillas and corn chips are all nixtamalized and that’s why they taste a little different than cornbread

[@AsfUytkh]

❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊

[@midwestribeye7820]

Is there a taste difference in the different varieties of corn?

[@SkycryEmpathy]

I hope this doesn’t sound too strange but do you sell seeds? I’ve been trying to find the types of corn you’ve both been using and unfortunately it’s been a bit difficult. 😅

[@HomegrownHandgathered]

We don’t, but you can find most of the varieties we grow online at places like the Alliance of Native Seedkeepers, True Love Seeds and Seedsavers Exchange

[@SkycryEmpathy]

@@HomegrownHandgathered thank you! 🙏🏻❤️

[@tanyafosdick4139]

What varieties of grain corn do you grow? Specific differences between your choices? Thank you ❤

[@HomegrownHandgathered]

The big yellow ones are Wapsie Valley Dent, the blue ones are Hopi Blue, the rainbow color ones are Painted Mountain and the little colorful popcorn is Carousel

[@rubygray7749]

@@HomegrownHandgathered Do you grow them all In separate gardens so they don't cross pollinate?