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Non-GMO
Easy to Grow
Heirloom

Hickory King Corn

Quick Facts:

  • Pre-1875 Appalachian heirloom dent
  • Stalks reach 10–12 feet tall
  • Typically 2 ears per stalk
  • Ears up to 11" long, 8 rows around
  • 80-110 days to maturity

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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.

Hickory King Corn

More about Hickory King

Zea mays

Hickory King Corn is a pre-1875 heirloom dent corn, introduced by A.O. Lee of Hickory, Virginia—and sometimes remembered as Hickory Cane. From Appalachian foothills to mountain hollows, it became a cornerstone of subsistence farming, carrying families through lean seasons with its towering stalks and dependable ears. W. Atlee Burpee praised it in 1888 as “entirely distinct from all other varieties,” noting its rare combination of massive white kernels and an unusually small cob.

Trials at the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station in 1905 and 1906 underscored its dependability. Where western varieties like Boone County White surged ahead only in favorable years, Hickory King held steady yields even un... More

Less

Zea mays

Hickory King Corn is a pre-1875 heirloom dent corn, introduced by A.O. Lee of Hickory, Virginia—and sometimes remembered as Hickory Cane. From Appalachian foothills to mountain hollows, it became a cornerstone of subsistence farming, carrying families through lean seasons with its towering stalks and dependable ears. W. Atlee Burpee praised it in 1888 as “entirely distinct from all other varieties,” noting its rare combination of massive white kernels and an unusually small cob.

Trials at the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station in 1905 and 1906 underscored its dependability. Where western varieties like Boone County White surged ahead only in favorable years, Hickory King held steady yields even under less-than-favorable conditions—traits that made it invaluable on the rain-leached soils of the mountains.

By 1914, Hickory King’s reputation had spread abroad, becoming one of the most widely cultivated white dents in South Africa, valued for its large grain and adaptability to lighter soils. Though it would later be overshadowed by commodity Yellow Dent, Hickory King remains a living relic of nineteenth-century agriculture: a rare survivor from the age of regional seed traditions and family farm resilience.

Zea mays

Hickory King Corn is a pre-1875 heirloom dent corn, introduced by A.O. Lee of Hickory, Virginia—and sometimes remembered as Hickory Cane. From Appalachian foothills to mountain hollows, it became a cornerstone of subsistence farming, carrying families through lean seasons with its towering stalks and dependable ears. W. Atlee Burpee praised it in 1888 as “entirely distinct from all other varieties,” noting its rare combination of massive white kernels and an unusua... read more

read less

Zea mays

Hickory King Corn is a pre-1875 heirloom dent corn, introduced by A.O. Lee of Hickory, Virginia—and sometimes remembered as Hickory Cane. From Appalachian foothills to mountain hollows, it became a cornerstone of subsistence farming, carrying families through lean seasons with its towering stalks and dependable ears. W. Atlee Burpee praised it in 1888 as “entirely distinct from all other varieties,” noting its rare combination of massive white kernels and an unusually small cob.

Trials at the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station in 1905 and 1906 underscored its dependability. Where western varieties like Boone County White surged ahead only in favorable years, Hickory King held steady yields even under less-than-favorable conditions—traits that made it invaluable on the rain-leached soils of the mountains.

By 1914, Hickory King’s reputation had spread abroad, becoming one of the most widely cultivated white dents in South Africa, valued for its large grain and adaptability to lighter soils. Though it would later be overshadowed by commodity Yellow Dent, Hickory King remains a living relic of nineteenth-century agriculture: a rare survivor from the age of regional seed traditions and family farm resilience.

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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