{"product_id":"bantam-corn-heirloom-seeds","title":"Bantam Corn Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBantam Corn\u003c\/strong\u003e is an open-pollinated, non-GMO heirloom sweet corn grown for tender golden kernels, compact ears, and the unmistakable flavor of fresh corn picked straight from the garden. This warm-season favorite brings dependable pollination, classic summer sweetness, and the simple pleasure of eating corn at its freshest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHistory\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBantam-type corn belongs to the early heirloom tradition that helped make homegrown sweet corn a garden staple. Valued for its tender texture and rich corn flavor, it carries the character of old-fashioned family gardens where ears were harvested in the morning and cooked the same day. It remains a rewarding choice for gardeners who want genuine heirloom flavor instead of bland, over-mature corn.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlant Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e About 70–80 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEar Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e About 5–7 inches long with plump rows of golden kernels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e About 5–7 feet tall and 12–18 inches wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm-season annual grain and vegetable crop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBantam Corn has the tender bite and full, sweet flavor that make fresh-picked corn so special. The golden kernels are juicy and lightly crisp when harvested at the milk stage, with a classic buttery character that works beautifully raw, grilled, steamed, or folded into summer dishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhen to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirect sow Bantam Corn outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 60°F, with 65–75°F ideal for quick germination. Corn dislikes root disturbance, so direct sowing is usually best, though short starts in biodegradable pots can be transplanted very carefully. Plant in blocks rather than a single long row for better wind pollination, and use your \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\"\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zone\u003c\/a\u003e to fine-tune your planting window.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tips \u0026amp; Planting Dimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow seeds 8–12 inches apart, with 30–36 inches between rows. A block at least 4 rows wide improves pollination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow seeds 1–1 1\/2 inches deep in warm, well-prepared soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Usually 5–10 days at 65–75°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun, with at least 8 hours of direct light for strong stalks and well-filled ears.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep, fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost and steady nutrition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep soil evenly moist, especially during tasseling, silking, and ear development.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Side-dress with balanced fertilizer or compost when plants are about 10–12 inches tall and again as tassels appear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHealthy plants:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water at soil level, rotate corn-family crops, and leave enough space for airflow to reduce disease pressure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003e🌱 Easy Sow Germination 🌱\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBury it, water it, get out of the way.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart with the right foundation.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a fine seed-starting mix — not garden soil or coarse potting mix. Sift it if needed. A clean, even mix gives each seed good contact and room for its first roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant at the right depth.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow Bantam Corn seeds 1–1 1\/2 inches deep in the moist mix. These larger seeds can handle a proper covering and need darkness and steady moisture to get started.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater gently.\u003c\/strong\u003e Moisten the mix thoroughly, then keep it evenly damp without leaving it soggy. A gentle watering keeps the seed in place.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGive them real warmth.\u003c\/strong\u003e Corn germinates best at 65–75°F. A heat mat can help if your growing space is cool, but avoid overheating the mix.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep the humidity steady.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cover the tray with a humidity dome or loose plastic wrap until seedlings emerge, then remove the cover for airflow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGive them time.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the mix warm and consistently moist. Corn usually sprouts quickly once the soil is genuinely warm, but cold conditions can slow it down.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThin with scissors, not fingers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Once seedlings appear, snip extras at the soil line rather than pulling. This protects the roots of the seedling you want to keep.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBantam Corn does not need cold stratification. For the strongest crop, direct sow into warm soil and plant in a block so the wind can carry pollen between stalks.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowth Type \u0026amp; Harvest Yields\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBantam Corn grows as a tall, upright grass with broad leaves, tassels at the top, and ears forming along the stalks. Each plant may produce one or more ears when moisture and fertility stay consistent, though the best harvest comes from a well-pollinated block. Succession sow a new block every 2–3 weeks during the warm season for a longer harvest window.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKnowing When to Harvest\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarvest when the silks have turned brown, the ears feel full, and a kernel near the tip releases milky juice when punctured with a fingernail. The husks should look green and fresh, not dry. Pick in the morning when possible and use the ears soon after harvest because corn’s natural sweetness begins changing as soon as it leaves the stalk. Refrigerate promptly if you cannot cook it immediately.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCompanion Plants \u0026amp; Mutual Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePole Beans:\u003c\/strong\u003e Can use the corn stalks as living supports once the stalks are well established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Squash:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sprawling leaves help shade the soil around corn while using a different layer of garden space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCucumbers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Share the warm-season growing window when given room to trail away from the corn block.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDill:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flowers attract beneficial insects and add useful diversity near the corn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEarly Lettuce:\u003c\/strong\u003e Can fill the space between young corn plants before the stalks create a full canopy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Enjoy\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrill whole ears with butter, salt, chili, or fresh herbs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSteam or boil ears briefly and serve them while the kernels are juicy and tender.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlice kernels from the cob for succotash, tacos, salads, and summer pasta.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMake fresh corn salsa with tomatoes, peppers, onion, lime, and cilantro.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFreeze blanched kernels so the garden’s sweetness lasts into the colder months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOrder Today\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrow Bantam Corn for tender golden kernels, classic heirloom sweetness, and the unbeatable flavor of corn harvested at home. Order Bantam Corn Heirloom Seeds today and make fresh-from-the-stalk summer corn part of your garden season.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Heirloom Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Starter Pack of 10 seeds","offer_id":54060287951162,"sku":null,"price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Garden Pack of 25 seeds 🌱 Best Value","offer_id":54060287983930,"sku":null,"price":2.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/7850\/9626\/files\/harvested-bantam-corn-ears-in-a-shallow-basket-on-a-rustic-farm-table_2d05f549-5e91-4a3c-91e7-2fd91cb8323e.png?v=1789345640","url":"https:\/\/gardenheirloomseeds.com\/products\/bantam-corn-heirloom-seeds","provider":"Garden Heirloom Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}