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Heirloom

Cocke's Prolific Corn

Quick Facts:

  • Prolific heirloom dent corn
  • Produces multiple ears per stalk
  • Dates back to the early 1800s
  • Reliable producer, widely-adapted
  • Used for cornmeal, grits, livestock feed

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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.

Cocke's Prolific Corn

More about Cocke's Prolific

Zea mays

Cocke’s Prolific is an heirloom variety of dent corn long prized for its ability to produce multiple, well-filled ears on a single stalk—a trait that made it especially valuable to Southern farmers seeking dependable yields under variable conditions. The variety was developed by John Hartwell Cocke of Fluvanna County, Virginia, a noted agricultural reformer and close friend of Thomas Jefferson. By the mid-19th century, Cocke’s Prolific had gained wide recognition throughout the South for its productivity and resilience.

Traditionally grown as a feed and milling corn, Cocke’s Prolific produces multiple, uniform ears packed with dense dent kernels that dry down well on the stalk. It has been used for live... More

Less

Zea mays

Cocke’s Prolific is an heirloom variety of dent corn long prized for its ability to produce multiple, well-filled ears on a single stalk—a trait that made it especially valuable to Southern farmers seeking dependable yields under variable conditions. The variety was developed by John Hartwell Cocke of Fluvanna County, Virginia, a noted agricultural reformer and close friend of Thomas Jefferson. By the mid-19th century, Cocke’s Prolific had gained wide recognition throughout the South for its productivity and resilience.

Traditionally grown as a feed and milling corn, Cocke’s Prolific produces multiple, uniform ears packed with dense dent kernels that dry down well on the stalk. It has been used for livestock feed, cornmeal, grits and general farm use—an all-purpose workhorse well suited to self-reliant homesteads. Like many historic farm varieties, it was eventually thought to be extinct, surviving only because it was preserved on the Cocke family farm.

In our 2025 trials, Cocke’s Prolific proved its historic reputation well deserved. In a season marked by early soggy soils followed by extended drought, it remained productive and sturdy when many other corns struggled. The ears were shorter than we expected, however this might be explained by our late planting date (June 15th).  Still, in what was otherwise a lackluster year for corn, Cocke’s Prolific stood apart—an outlier in the field, just as it was generations ago.  Matures approximately 115 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Zea mays

Cocke’s Prolific is an heirloom variety of dent corn long prized for its ability to produce multiple, well-filled ears on a single stalk—a trait that made it especially valuable to Southern farmers seeking dependable yields under variable conditions. The variety was developed by John Hartwell Cocke of Fluvanna County, Virginia, a noted agricultural reformer and close friend of Thomas Jefferson. By the mid-19th century, Cocke’s Prolific had gained wide recognition t... read more

read less

Zea mays

Cocke’s Prolific is an heirloom variety of dent corn long prized for its ability to produce multiple, well-filled ears on a single stalk—a trait that made it especially valuable to Southern farmers seeking dependable yields under variable conditions. The variety was developed by John Hartwell Cocke of Fluvanna County, Virginia, a noted agricultural reformer and close friend of Thomas Jefferson. By the mid-19th century, Cocke’s Prolific had gained wide recognition throughout the South for its productivity and resilience.

Traditionally grown as a feed and milling corn, Cocke’s Prolific produces multiple, uniform ears packed with dense dent kernels that dry down well on the stalk. It has been used for livestock feed, cornmeal, grits and general farm use—an all-purpose workhorse well suited to self-reliant homesteads. Like many historic farm varieties, it was eventually thought to be extinct, surviving only because it was preserved on the Cocke family farm.

In our 2025 trials, Cocke’s Prolific proved its historic reputation well deserved. In a season marked by early soggy soils followed by extended drought, it remained productive and sturdy when many other corns struggled. The ears were shorter than we expected, however this might be explained by our late planting date (June 15th).  Still, in what was otherwise a lackluster year for corn, Cocke’s Prolific stood apart—an outlier in the field, just as it was generations ago.  Matures approximately 115 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Child holding beans
Child holding heirloom beans

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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