I have been following Mark Delman's blog Planter Tomato
for a few years now.
A short while ago, he posted on the history of sweet corn.
I had commented that I was looking for a low sugar, high starch
corn to use for grinding and he said he had some Longfellow flint corn
seeds that he tried and liked, but couldn't buy them anymore.
He offered to send me some seeds from his stock
if I wanted to give them a try.
You can read what he posted last year about flint and dent corn here.
I was especially intrigued after he mentioned how affordable grinders are.
This is what he posted about this particular seed:
I'm growing a variety of flint corn called Longfellow. This variety has golden-orange kernels on a cob that is about 12 inches in length. It is an heirloom variety from New England and grows to 8 feet in height in approximately 110 days. Sadly, this venerable old flint corn variety is disappearing rapidly (It's on Slow Foods list of 1,000 unique American seeds, fruits, nuts, livestock and game that are threatened) I purchased Longfellow seeds 2 years ago from Baker Creek but they no longer offer this variety. Sand Hill Preservation will also occasionally have it for sale.
The point of this post
is to emphasize the importance of
doing what he did.
Growing heirlooms, saving seeds
and offering them to other gardeners who will
grow, harvest, save and share seed.
This is how it is done friends.
One handful at a time.
Next year I will be offering these seeds those of you
who might be interested in growing starchy corn for grinding or feed.
How about you? Do you save seed? I would love to hear.
.
13 comments:
I LOVE this! We save bush beans and also acorn and pumpkin which are hybrid seeds - know you're not supposed to do this but it has worked for us as they seem to have acclimated to our short growing season. I would love to try some corn for grinding but we need 70 day corn to make it here - I have dried and ground the 70 day hybrid and it was ok. Also my hybrid tomatoes have self-seeded in the greenhouse and have been wonderful - seem to be quite blight resistant. ~ Marcia
Heirloom Seeds are so important, and if you want to avoid any genetic modification is the only way to go.Here in Nz, at
Koanga Institute, there are seeds, classes, workshops etc.I am off camping today, so should see seeds growing at your place when I come back in 2 weeks. Cheers from Jean
Well said! We haven't saved seets yet, but this year will be planting quite a few heirloom vegetable varieties and plan to try saving seeds. Good for you!
I can't believe it's gardening season already! And I'm SO GLAD IT IS!
Now that it's just me and the hubby and he travels most of the week, I'm wondering how small a garden I will have this year. I save flower seeds, but usually not veggies. How nice of Mark to send you these valuable kernels, Michaele. :)
Bloggers are so great at sharing info AND product! How nice of Mark.
Have you checked out MyFolia.com? I recently joined up and there is a very active seed swapping feature on the site. I haven't participated yet, but I plan to. I love heirloom plants (and animals). Anyway, people send all kinds of seeds everywhere on this site. There is a link on the sidebar of my blog -- take a look.
How wonderful that Mark has saved these seeds and that you are both willing to share them with fellow gardeners! I haven't been saving seeds but I know I should...
That corn is beautiful, love the little round kernels! I've saved flower seeds, not veggies though. I hope you have a great crop:@)
So far the only kind I've saved were from a tomato plant that I bought at the Farmer's Market. Hopefully I will get them started soon.
Yes! I only buy heirloom seeds and I save the seeds on the varieties that grow well for me!
I don't - but I think it is a good idea. sandie
So true!! I know some of my friends are starting to save seeds, and the Amish around here do a lot of that. I need to investigate it more.
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