How to Grow and Process Popcorn (Harvesting-Popping)
One of the easiest crops to grow is Popcorn! Delicious, fun, and sustainable, learning how to grow popcorn and process it is a very rewarding experience!
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By the end of this post, you will have all the steps from preparing the ground, to planting the seeds, to processing the popcorn, and finally popping it!
What will you need to grow your own popcorn
- Popcorn Seed – There are several different varieties of popcorn from yellow to blue to red. However, you can just buy your favorite non-gmo popcorn from the store and plant it in the garden! If you want to try a new variety, most online seed stores offer several varieties.
- Plot of Land – You will need a plot of land or even a large raised bed to grow the popcorn in. If using a raised bed, fill with a mixture of soil and compost. To grow in a plot of land, till the plot 1-2 times before planting to ready the ground and cover with compost.
- Time – From planting the seed to having popcorn to pop will take approximately 6 months. So patience is necessary:)
How to plant Popcorn
- Plow the Land – You can ready the ground many months in advance. It’s only necessary to cultivate it directly before planting the seeds. We prefer to cover the plot with compost or organic material to ensure a good growing season for the popcorn.
- When to plant the seeds – Plant popcorn seeds directly in the ground after the danger of frost has passed. For us, this is usually the first week of May. Research your gardening zone for a better idea. We are in Zone 6. Popcorn is planted just as sweet corn is.
- How to plant the seeds – Planting popcorn couldn’t be easier. We will make a hill of dirt in straight line. Then we sow seed down into the hill about 1-2 inches deep. Popcorn seeds should be spaced about 10-12 inches apart for growth and the hills should be about 30 inches apart.
- Watering – It is imperative that you water the ground or have irrigation daily if there is no rain. Once the plants are at least 12 inches tall, we water every other day or at frequent intervals. Once the plants are at least knee high, we rely on rain for watering.
How to care for popcorn plants
Thankfully, popcorn plants are super easy to care for. Water at recommendations above, weed between the plants and hoe between the hills at least weekly.
Once the plants have tassels, you will need to drop a few drops of mineral oil on the silks on top of the ears to prevent worms from getting into the ears of corn.
Other than that, caring for popcorn plants is fairly hands off.
When to harvest popcorn
Our method for knowing when to harvest popcorn is 2 fold.
Brown Tassels – Once the tassels turn brown, you will know it’s time to start checking the popcorn weekly.
We prefer to let the popcorn basically dry on the corn stalks as much as possible before harvesting.
As soon as the tassels turn brown, we side dress or pull back the silk about half way to aid in the drying of the kernels
Test Kernels – Once a week, press your fingernail into one of the kernels. If it cuts through, the popcorn is not ready.
You will know the popcorn is ready to harvest when you can’t press your fingernail into a kernel.
How to harvest popcorn
Once you confirm the popcorn kernels have hardened, it’s time to pick the ears from the stalks.
To do this, simply grab and ear of popcorn and pull down to pull it off the stalk.
We put ours in baskets as we move along the hills.
Once all ears are gathered, you will need to pull the silks off completely.
To do this, start pulling from the tip of the ear down to the base and continue pulling the silk strings off of the ear as best as possible.
How to dry or cure the ears of popcorn
After you husk the ears, even though they are hardened, you will want to allow them to dry a bit longer without the silks.
To do this, you can either pull the husks back and leave them on the unshelled corn ears. Hang the popcorn by the husks and let them air dry for 3-4 weeks.
Another option, one we like, is to husk the ears and lay them on racks with some space in between the ears. You can turn them once a week to promote even drying.
Either choice should be done in a well-ventilated location.
How to shell the ears of popcorn
Once the popcorn has cured sufficiently, it’s time to shell the kernels from the ears.
To do this, you will want to take your thumb and press against the kernels over a large container. The kernels will pop off into the container as you press your thumb against them.
Be aware that this can be a bit uncomfortable at first but becomes easier as you go.
You can also use a corn sheller LINKED HERE to make this process so much easier!
How to store homegrown popcorn
Once you have removed all of the kernels from the ears, store the kernels in half gallon masons jars with an airtight lid or airtight containers.
While the popcorn is ready to pop, over time it will pop better as it cures even more.
Properly cured popcorn can last, if stored in an airtight, dry container, for years.
How to pop homegrown popcorn
My preferred methods of popping popcorn are to either use an AIR POPPER or a WHIRLY POP MAKER.
For both of these you will use 1/4-1/3 cup of kernels for a full bowl of popcorn.
I highly recommended to a test pop of a few kernels to make sure they are ready to pop
Un-popped kernels are actually very delicious as well!
More than likely, this is due to moisture still in the kernels. Consider putting the kernels in the sun on a wire rack for the day to ensure they are completely dry before popping.
Yes! That’s what we have always used. Try to find non-gmo organic popcorn for seed.
