When to pick flint/dent corn - Ask Extension
Hello, we tried something new in our vegetable garden this year and planted some heirloom flint and dent corns that we got from seed savers exchange (...
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When to pick flint/dent corn #721469
Asked September 06, 2020, 3:04 PM EDT
Hello, we tried something new in our vegetable garden this year and planted some heirloom flint and dent corns that we got from seed savers exchange (we saw it growing at the historic Fort Snelling last year). The SSE web site says not to pick it until is it totally dry. The stalks are not dry yet, but some of the husks are, so we picked some to test and the kernels seem fully formed and hard. But I read on some websites for farmers that you have to wait for the “black layer” in the kernel and I don’t think we have that yet, We would like to use it for cornmeal, but the squirrels are taking a lot of it and we’re worried if we let it stand there won’t be any for us! Can we pick it and hang it to dry like they did at Fort Snelling?
Washington County Minnesota
Expert Response
The difference I can find between flint and dent corn is that flint corn does not dent when dry. Both are ready for picking when the husks are brown and dry. I am not familiar with black layer nor did I find it in any of my searches. You certainly should be able to pick the corn and hang it to compete drying.
