Guest Columnist
Two years ago around this time an Article was written about “Who Gets Kissed” organic sweet corn, the result of seven year research program to develop a new, superior variety of organic corn. It was and is a great vegetable, and some 100 seedlings are currently growing in “the college” greenhouse awaiting planting in our small south garden.
There’s a new variety that became available in 2017 named “Jaws” that we plan to try in 2019. “Jaws’” ears are an astounding 12” long and 6” around, making them 100% larger than most corn species. Even the kernels are said to be as much as 100% larger than normal. Sweetness is less than who gets kissed, meaning the sugars are somewhat less. Nevertheless, the ears are quite tasty and probably more nutritious than corn with higher sugar levels. The germination rate is not published, but sowing recommendations are to include two seeds in each hole.
Corn is more finicky than many vegetables. Soil should be 70° below the surface. Also, corn is purely wind pollinated, so it needs to be planted in blocks rather than in a single row or two. If sowing seed, plant 3-4” apart and later thin to 12”. If transplanting, simply plant 12” apart. Minimum recommended plot size is 10’ X 10’. Plants should grow to six feet, producing 2 ears per stalk (4 ears if they’re cut in two!), although outside rows may have less than two due to lack of pollination.
Like “Who gets Kissed” last year, “Jaws” seems to have only a single producer. How long this will last is unknown.
Perhaps the biggest problem with “Jaws” is whether one has a big enough pot to to cook the whole ear, with the alternative being to halve each ear so they’ll fit in the pot!
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