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Heirloom

Jimmy Red Corn

Quick Facts:

  • Legendary moonshine corn
  • Originates from South Carolina
  • Improved selection of Bloody Butcher
  • Great for cornmeal and grits
  • 90-110 days to harvest

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Quantity: Packet (50 Seeds)

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We ship to all areas of North America including the United States, its territories and outlying islands, and Canada. International orders may incur an additional charge to cover the handling of customs paperwork. Returns are accepted within 30 days of receipt. Full warranty information can be found here.

Jimmy Red Corn

More about Jimmy Red

Zea mays

Jimmy Red Corn is more than an heirloom—it’s a legend. Once grown in secrecy on James Island, South Carolina, by moonshiners who prized it for whiskey, this deep-red corn nearly vanished when its last caretaker passed away. Two surviving ears preserved the variety, sparking its modern revival and securing its place as one of the South’s most storied crops.

Often confused with Bloody Butcher, Jimmy Red is a distinct selection of that lineage. A few seed companies have tried to rebrand Bloody Butcher as Jimmy Red, but our trials tell a different story. In 2024 we compared three Jimmy Red sources alongside a widely circulated strain of Bloody Butcher: two were indistinguishable from Bloody Butcher... More

Less

Zea mays

Jimmy Red Corn is more than an heirloom—it’s a legend. Once grown in secrecy on James Island, South Carolina, by moonshiners who prized it for whiskey, this deep-red corn nearly vanished when its last caretaker passed away. Two surviving ears preserved the variety, sparking its modern revival and securing its place as one of the South’s most storied crops.

Often confused with Bloody Butcher, Jimmy Red is a distinct selection of that lineage. A few seed companies have tried to rebrand Bloody Butcher as Jimmy Red, but our trials tell a different story. In 2024 we compared three Jimmy Red sources alongside a widely circulated strain of Bloody Butcher: two were indistinguishable from Bloody Butcher, while the third showed stiffer stalks, stronger resistance to lodging, and a greater proportion of dark red kernels. This is the strain we’ve chosen to introduce.

Celebrated by chefs, bakers, and distillers, Jimmy Red produces meal and grits with a flavor described as nutty, buttery, and sweet—qualities that also make it a favorite for bourbon. To plant Jimmy Red is to grow not just a crop but a rare survivor, one that nearly slipped into history and now endures with renewed strength.  Matures approximately 90-110 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Zea mays

Jimmy Red Corn is more than an heirloom—it’s a legend. Once grown in secrecy on James Island, South Carolina, by moonshiners who prized it for whiskey, this deep-red corn nearly vanished when its last caretaker passed away. Two surviving ears preserved the variety, sparking its modern revival and securing its place as one of the South’s most storied crops.

Often confused with Bloody Butcher, Jimmy Red is a distinct selection of that lineage. A few s... read more

read less

Zea mays

Jimmy Red Corn is more than an heirloom—it’s a legend. Once grown in secrecy on James Island, South Carolina, by moonshiners who prized it for whiskey, this deep-red corn nearly vanished when its last caretaker passed away. Two surviving ears preserved the variety, sparking its modern revival and securing its place as one of the South’s most storied crops.

Often confused with Bloody Butcher, Jimmy Red is a distinct selection of that lineage. A few seed companies have tried to rebrand Bloody Butcher as Jimmy Red, but our trials tell a different story. In 2024 we compared three Jimmy Red sources alongside a widely circulated strain of Bloody Butcher: two were indistinguishable from Bloody Butcher, while the third showed stiffer stalks, stronger resistance to lodging, and a greater proportion of dark red kernels. This is the strain we’ve chosen to introduce.

Celebrated by chefs, bakers, and distillers, Jimmy Red produces meal and grits with a flavor described as nutty, buttery, and sweet—qualities that also make it a favorite for bourbon. To plant Jimmy Red is to grow not just a crop but a rare survivor, one that nearly slipped into history and now endures with renewed strength.  Matures approximately 90-110 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Girl holding kohlrabi

How to Grow Corn

Corn performs best in soil that is well-drained, but also able to hold onto some moisture, as corn tends to use quite a bit of water during its active growth phase.  Working in a healthy dose of well-composted manure in the fall will ensure that the rapidly growing plants receive adequate water and nutrition. 

After danger of frost has passed and soil temps have reached 55 degrees, sow seeds 9-12" apart, 1" deep, in rows 24-36" apart.  To maximize pollination use a paired row or square plot configuration.  Under ideal conditions, germination will occur in 7-10 days.

Not recommended

Insect Pests

Biological controls such as Bacillus thuringiensis can be effecting in controlling common corn pests like corn borer and earworm.  Aphids, Japanese beetles, and other hard-shelled insects can be controlled with a simple homemade insecticidal soap solution.

Diseases & Other Problems

Corn is susceptible to a number of plant diseases.  Consult your local extension office to learn which diseases are most prevalent in your region. Crop rotation, tillage, and removal of plant debris are all effective tools in managing common corn diseases.

Sweet corn is ready to harvest approximately 21 days after pollination. At peak, the kernel tips should be rounded and glossy. Shelling corn can be harvested once the husks have dried and the kernels have sufficiently hardened.  To test for maturity, pull back the husk and remove a kernel from the ear.  If the tip at the base of the kernel breaks off to reveal a brown "abscission" layer, the ears are ready to harvest.

CONSIDERATIONS:

To maintain genetic diversity, save seed from at least 50 to 100 plants.  If open-pollinated, plants should be isolated from other corn varieties by at least 1/4 mile.  Otherwise, hand-pollination can be performed.

HARVESTING SEED:

Wait until ears have reached full maturity and the kernels cannot be pierced by your fingernail. Peel back the husk and harvest the ear by pulling down and twisting. Place in a mesh bag or basket and allow to continue to dry for two weeks. Shell ears using a manual corn shelling tool or tightly grip a gloved hand around the ear and twist to separate the kernels from the cob. Winnow to remove any chaff and store in an airtight container until ready to use.

SEED LONGETIVITY:

Corn seeds will maintain 50% viability for three years when stored in a cool, dark place.

Hand pollinating corn

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