How to Grow Crackerjack

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Crackerjack

Zea mays var. everta

vegetable

Crackerjack is a popcorn variety of corn that produces small, hard kernels ideal for popping. This heirloom variety is known for its excellent popping ability, light, fluffy texture, and sweet flavor. It's a fun and productive crop for home gardeners looking to grow their own popcorn.

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Example Crackerjack timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Crackerjack
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Crackerjack
Around Jul 16

≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Crackerjack dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum

💧

Water: Regular watering, about 1-1.5 inches per week; consistent moisture is critical during tasseling and ear development; reduce watering after silking to encourage kernel hardening

📏

Spacing: 8 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 90-120 days

🌱

Planting depth: 1-1.5 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Aged compost Well-rotted manure Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-8; can grow in zones 3-9 with proper timing

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

Germination & Seedling

7-10 days

Seeds sprout and develop first true leaves; plants are 4-6 inches tall

Ensure consistent soil moisture; thin seedlings to proper spacing if direct seeding; keep soil warm (60°F minimum)

Vegetative Growth

4-5 weeks

Rapid height growth, more leaves developing; plants reach knee to waist height

Water regularly and deeply; apply side-dress fertilizer when plants are 12 inches tall; monitor for pests; provide support if windy

Tasseling & Silking

2-3 weeks

Male tassel appears at top; silks emerge from ear husks; plants reach full height (6-8 feet)

Maintain consistent, deep watering; this is critical for pollination; avoid nitrogen excess which delays tasseling

Ear Development & Grain Fill

3-4 weeks

Kernels enlarge and harden; husks thicken and tighten; cobs become woody

Water moderately; begin reducing water after silking to encourage hardening; remove any damaged ears to redirect energy

Maturity & Harvest Ready

2-3 weeks

Kernels fully hardened and dimpled; husks dry and brown; plants brown from the ground up

Stop watering; allow ears to fully mature on stalk if possible; for popcorn, kernels should be very hard and difficult to dent with thumbnail

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beans Peas Squash Cucumber Lettuce Radish Nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Tomatoes Peppers Fennel Dill Other corn varieties (cross-pollination risk)

Common Pests

Handpick larvae; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; remove and destroy infested plant material; crop rotation
Apply mineral oil to silk tips; use Bt spray; handpick; encourage beneficial insects like parasitic wasps
Bt spray; neem oil; handpick; maintain good garden hygiene
Handpick; use row covers when young; insecticidal soap if severe
and
Electric fencing; exclude with mesh or netting; harvest promptly when mature

Uses

🍳

Homemade Popcorn

Culinary

Crackerjack popcorn kernels are specifically bred for superior popping ability and yield, producing light and fluffy popcorn with excellent flavor. The kernels are smaller and harder than sweet corn, making them ideal for air-popping or stovetop popping. [source]

🏠

Decorative Corn

Household

Dried Crackerjack corn ears can be displayed as decorative fall and autumn seasonal arrangements, or husked kernels can be used in corn craft projects. [source]

🦋

Bird & Wildlife Feed

Wildlife

Dried kernels can be offered to birds and small wildlife in winter, providing natural nutrition and food security for local fauna. [source]

🍳

Cornmeal & Flour

Culinary

Dried and ground kernels can be processed into cornmeal or corn flour for baking and cooking applications, adding wholesome homegrown grain to recipes. [source]

Harvest Tips

For popcorn, allow kernels to fully mature and harden on the stalk until husks brown completely. Harvest when stalks are brown and dry, typically 110-130 days after planting. Bend ears downward to snap from stalk. Husk ears and allow kernels to dry further indoors for 2-3 weeks in a warm, dry location until kernels reach 12-15% moisture content (kernels should not dent easily). Store in sealed containers in a cool, dry place.

Fun Facts

🌱 Crackerjack is a heirloom popcorn variety that has been grown for generations and is celebrated for its superior popping quality and excellent flavor compared to modern hybrids.
🌱 The distinctive 'pop' of popcorn occurs because water inside the kernel turns to steam when heated, building pressure until the hard kernel shell explodes, turning it inside-out.
🌱 A single Crackerjack plant can produce 2-4 ears, and properly dried kernels have a popping rate of 85-95%, making it one of the most efficient popcorn varieties for home gardeners.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Heirloom Pollination True Leaves

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