Pennsylvania Butter Flavored Popcorn

This delicious, flavorful, pearly-white kerneled popcorn has been grown by Pennsylvania Dutch families since before 1885. It was introduced to the public by our friends at Southern Exposure Seed Exchange in 1987, over a hundred years later. About 2 cobs grow per plant on healthy 8 foot stalks.

Days to maturity: 102

Seeds per pack: ~100

Germination rate: 95% in 11/2023

Planting / harvesting notes

Direct seed about an inch deep in moist soil a couple weeks after the last danger of frost. 12"-24" spacing in row, especially if intercropping with beans and/or squash. Needs full sun and ample nitrogen in well-drained soil. Leave ears on the stalks as long as possible to dry before harvesting for popcorn or seed saving. If weather and/or pests prevent a full cure on the stalk, wait until the ear has flopped over, silks toward the ground, making sure the husks are brown and papery.

Seed keeping notes

Corn is wind pollinated and should be isolated by 2-3 miles from other varieties of corn to avoid unwanted cross-pollination. Another option is to separate your corn plantings by 3-4 weeks so they do not flower/tassel at the same time. Allow the husks and cobs to fully dry on the plants before harvesting for seed. If you are concerned about neighbor's corn plots hybridizing yours, consider only harvesting seed from the plants towards the middle of your plot, leaving the outer rows for eating. If necessary, lay out the cobs to do some final drying before removing the husks and seeds.