How to Prepare Corn Seed for Next Year's Planting

Harvest ears of corn when they are ripe but leave two to three large, healthy ears on the corn stalk. Allow four to six weeks to pass as the chosen ears begin to dry out and become brown and brittle.

Grip a dried ear with one hand and hold the stalk where the ear originates. Twist the ear while pulling it from the stalk using one motion. Remove any other ears you intend to prepare as seed by repeating this step.

Pull back the husk of each dried ear one at a time toward the base but don't rip the husk from the ear. Tie string around each ear at the base to keep the husks pulled back away from the kernels.

Collect the tied ears together and hang them to dry further in a warm, dry area, such as in a shed, garage or basement where small animals cannot get to them. Leave the ears to dry in this location for three months.

Hold each fully dried ear one at a time over a bucket. Run your hand in a twisting motion up and down the ear to strip the dried kernels and let them drop into the bucket. Continue until you have collected all the dried kernels from all the ears of corn.

Pour the collected kernels into a jar, pulling out debris or pieces of husk that may have fallen into the bucket as you go. Seal the jar and store in a cool, dry place. Plant the seeds after all danger of frost has passed for your area.