Painted Mountain Corn seeds
For growers seeking both beauty and resilience, our Painted Mountain Corn is an unparalleled choice. Developed in the rugged mountains of Montana, this open-pollinated heirloom boasts an extraordinary genetic diversity, descended from over 70 native corn varieties. Its striking multi-colored kernels—ranging from vibrant purples, blues, and reds to sunny yellows and creamy whites—make each ear a work of art, perfect for stunning fall decorations. Beyond its ornamental appeal, Painted Mountain is incredibly versatile and nutritious, ideal for grinding into a fine, soft flour for delicious cornbread, hominy, or parched corn. Exceptionally cold and drought-tolerant with a quick maturity, it thrives in challenging climates, making it a reliable and rewarding addition to any garden, regardless of your region.
Seed count: 30
Botanic name:
Zea mays
Plant spacing:
- 8-12" in row
- 24-36" between rows
Color:
A mix of reds, dark reds, blacks, yellow, cream, burgundy, tan, and white kernels.
Sowing depth:
1-2"
Sun requirements:
Full sun
Utilization:
Ground into flouPainted Mountain corn is incredibly versatile, making it a valuable addition to any garden. While its vibrant, multi-colored kernels make it a popular choice for ornamental use during fall decorations, its true potential lies in its culinary applications. When young, the kernels can be harvested at the "milk stage" and enjoyed as a semi-sweet corn for fresh eating, roasting, or boiling, offering a unique flavor compared to typical sweet corn varieties. However, Painted Mountain truly excels as a flour corn once mature and dried. Its soft starch and thin seed coats make it easy to grind into a fine, nutritious flour, perfect for baking flavorful, often bluish-tinted, cornbread, muffins, and tortillas. Additionally, the dried kernels can be used to make hominy, masa, or parched corn, a traditional snack similar to a sweeter, chewier popcorn. Its adaptability to diverse climates and high nutritional value, including antioxidants from its colorful kernels, further solidify its place as a practical and beautiful homesteading staple.
Frost hardy:
No
Maturity days:
85-90 days
Life cycle:
Annual
Start indoors:
No
Container friendly:
Yes, to a degree. Corn can be grown in containers although with less impressive results. Stalks may be shorter and corn production may decrease and result in smaller ears.
