Hickory King White, Corn Seed

Hickory King White Corn Seed

Exceptionally large white kernels excel for hominy and grinding
Appalachian heirloom plants grow tall and sturdy
Rich starchy texture suits grits, meal, and flour
Open-pollinated seed preserves a classic regional crop

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Zea mays

Days to maturity

115 Days

Sun

Full Sun

About Hickory King White, Corn Seed, Corn Seed

Hickory King White is a classic Appalachian heirloom corn known for tall, sturdy plants and exceptionally large white kernels. Its rich, starchy grain is excellent for grinding into cornmeal, grits, and flour or preparing as hominy. Adaptable plants perform in a range of soils and climates. This open-pollinated variety is well suited to seed saving and helps preserve a versatile piece of American agricultural heritage.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

Days to Germination

4–10 days

In-row plant spacing

8-12"

Row Spacing

Plant profile

Maturity

Summer

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

Above 96 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Type

FLOUR, CORNMEAL

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

Color

White

Seed Type

Heirloom

Growing Season

Warm-Season Crop

Before Planting

Corn benefits from a full-sun, warm site with fertile, well-drained soil and good air circulation. Incorporate compost and adjust nutrients and pH according to a soil test, avoiding excessive nitrogen. Wait until frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed; harden transplants and install supports before planting when the crop requires them.

Planting

Direct sow corn after frost danger has passed and soil temperatures reach at least 60°F, or about 65°F for supersweet types. Plant in several short adjacent rows rather than one long row to improve wind pollination. Keep the seedbed evenly moist through emergence. Space plants 8–12 inches apart in rows about 30–36 inches apart.

Watering

Provide about 1–1½ inches of water weekly, increasing during hot weather. Consistent moisture is most important during tasseling, silking, and ear filling; water deeply at soil level.

Fertilizer

Side-dress corn with nitrogen when plants begin rapid growth and again if soil tests or leaf color indicate need. Avoid placing concentrated fertilizer against stems or roots.

Harvesting

Harvest sweet corn when silks are brown, husks remain green, and punctured kernels release milky juice. Twist ears downward to remove them and cool promptly. Leave dry or ornamental corn until kernels harden and husks dry.

Tips

Plant corn in blocks rather than a single long row for better wind pollination. Separate varieties with different maturity dates or adequate distance when cross-pollination could affect eating quality.

AVG. Seeding Rate

1M/500', 5M/2,500', 25M/12,500', 30M/acre at 2 seeds/ft. in rows 36" apart.

Disease Resistance Abbreviations

Corn Wilt

Pests & Diseases

Northern leaf blight, gray leaf spot, common rust, smut, and ear rots are major corn diseases. Choose resistant hybrids and rotate or bury infected residue. Remove smut galls before they rupture. Moldy ears may contain mycotoxins; discard them rather than feeding or saving affected grain.

Corn earworms, European corn borers, armyworms, cutworms, wireworms, and birds are common. Monitor silks and whorls, use appropriate biological controls, rotate fields, and protect ripening ears when necessary.