How to Separate Sweet Corn Seeds

Sweet corn is one of the most popular crops grown in home gardens. If you are growing a non-hybrid, consider separating the sweet corn seed at the end of the growing season. Very few varieties of non-hybrid sweet corn are available today, and preserving your seed will help add to the small numbers that are still being grown. In addition, separating the sweet corn seed will save you money when you're ready for spring planting.

Bucket
Glass jar or paper bag

Instructions

- 1
  Harvest the ears you set aside for seed about a month after the eating stage of your crop has passed. Pick the ears when the husks have turned brown. The harvest should take place on a dry day before frost.
- 2
  Pull back the husks and lay the ears flat in a cool, dry location to allow the kernels to continue drying out. This location needs to be in an area where rodents cannot get access to the sweet corn.
- 3
  Allow the corn to continue drying for two to three months.
- 4
  Grip the ear between your hands and twist the kernels. Allow the kernels to fall into a bucket as they separate from the cob.
- 5
  Winnow off any silk and chaff that falls into your seed container.
- 6
  Remove any off-colored kernels from your sweet corn seed stash.
- 7
  Store the kernels in a glass jar that rodents cannot get into, or store them in a paper bag and place the bag in the bottom of the refrigerator.

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