Corn

Basic Information

Seed Number

97

Seed Name

Corn

Variety

Strawberry Popcorn

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Poaceae

Plant Type

Popcorn (Zea mays)

Planting Method

Direct Sow

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

May 19

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 15

Plantable Months

May, June

Indoor Start

Not recorded

Direct Sow

May 19 – Jun 15

Transplant

Not Recommended

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

Not Recommended

Transplant Weeks After Frost

Not Recommended

Germination Days

7–10 days

Harvest/Maturity

95–100 days

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

60-85°F

Planting Depth

1-2 in

Plant Spacing

12 in

Row Spacing

18-24 in

Thin-To Spacing

12 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

About 1-1.5 in/week; consistent moisture is especially important during tasseling, silking and ear fill

Soil Preference

Fertile, well-drained soil with adequate nitrogen and organic matter; approximately pH 5.8-7.0

Minimum Container Size

Not recorded

Plant Height

4-6 ft

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

No

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

No

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Direct sow
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jun 25
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 70–110 days
Pollinator Friendly: Wind-pollinated; not insect-focused
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary/decorative depending on type
Succession / Reusable Notes: Plant in blocks for pollination. Isolation may matter for popcorn/Glass Gem.
Zone 6B Notes: Needs warm soil and consistent water.
Companion Plants: Beans, squash, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, sunflowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Tomatoes very close by
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Plant after frost when soil reaches about 60°F. Because Strawberry Popcorn needs 95-100 days to mature and then additional drying time, plant promptly in Southeast Michigan.
Germination: Direct sow in warm soil. Plant in a block of at least four short rows rather than one long row to improve wind pollination.
Harvest: Leave ears on the stalk until husks and kernels are dry and hard. After harvest, continue drying kernels until they pop properly before storage.
Seed Saving: Corn is wind-pollinated and crosses readily with other Zea mays varieties. Separate popcorn from sweet corn and other corn by adequate distance or flowering time if seed purity matters.
Special Care: The small strawberry-shaped ears have dark red kernels. Corn is a heavy feeder and benefits from adequate nitrogen.
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/corn-strawberry-popcorn — 95-100 day maturity, 1-2 inch depth, 12-inch final spacing, row spacing, 60°F planting temperature and block planting
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]