How to Grow Crackerjack Gold Popcorn
Wikimedia Commons
Crackerjack Gold Popcorn
Zea mays var. everta
vegetableCrackerjack Gold is a yellow popcorn variety known for its exceptional popping ability and crispy texture. This open-pollinated cultivar produces medium-sized kernels that pop into fluffy, tender popcorn with minimal hulls. It's a favorite among home gardeners for both fresh eating and commercial-quality yields.
When should you plant Crackerjack Gold Popcorn in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Crackerjack Gold Popcorn timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Crackerjack Gold Popcorn
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Crackerjack Gold Popcorn
Around Jul 26≈ 100 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Crackerjack Gold Popcorn dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-8; can be grown in zones 3-9 with appropriate timing
Sign up free to see if Crackerjack Gold Popcorn grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Crackerjack Gold Popcorn timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksYoung shoots emerge 5-10 days after planting with 2-4 leaves visible. Plants are 4-6 inches tall.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings to proper spacing if direct seeding. Watch for early pest damage.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksRapid leaf and stem development; plants grow 6-12 inches weekly, reaching 3-5 feet tall. Root system expands deeply.
Apply nitrogen fertilizer at V4-V6 stage (4-6 visible leaves). Side-dress with compost. Ensure consistent watering. Weed carefully to avoid root damage.
Tasseling & Silking
2-3 weeksMale tassel emerges at plant top; female silks appear on ear shoots. Plants reach 5-7 feet tall. Pollen is released.
Do not disturb plants during pollination. Maintain steady water supply (critical period). Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer which delays flowering.
Kernel Development
3-4 weeksSilks brown and dry back; kernels fill with starch. Ears become heavier and fuller. Husks remain green.
Reduce watering slightly to encourage drying. Monitor for late-season pests. Ears are ready for harvest maturity check.
Harvest & Drying
2-3 weeksHusks turn brown and papery. Kernels harden and shrink slightly, becoming glossy. Plant tops yellow and dry.
Allow ears to fully mature on stalk for best popping quality. Harvest when husks are completely brown and kernels are hard. Further dry in warm, dry location.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) when silks first appear. Inject mineral oil into ear tips. Use pheromone traps for monitoring.
-
Remove and destroy affected stalks. Plant resistant varieties. Apply Bt sprays at whorl and tassel stages.
-
Spray with strong water stream. Use insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
-
Remove debris and tall grass nearby. Apply neem oil. Hand-pick in early morning.
-
Use cutworm collars around seedlings. Apply parasitic nematodes to soil. Till soil in fall.
-
Remove galls before they rupture. Destroy infected plants. Practice crop rotation. Avoid overhead watering.
Uses
Gourmet Popcorn
CulinaryCrackerjack Gold is renowned for its superior popping ability, producing light, fluffy popcorn with thin hulls. Pop kernels and enjoy plain or with various seasonings—this variety has excellent flavor and crispy texture. [source]
Homemade Caramel Corn
HouseholdThe tender, crispy popcorn produced by this variety is ideal for making caramel corn, kettle corn, and other candied popcorn treats. Its excellent expansion ratio ensures consistent, professional-quality results. [source]
Fresh Corn Cobs & Husks
CulinaryFresh ears can be eaten young as sweet corn, though Crackerjack Gold is primarily grown for dry popcorn. Dried cobs have uses as animal bedding or fuel. [source]
Corn Decorations & Crafts
CraftDried ears with husks are attractive for fall and autumn decorations. Kernels and cobs are used in various craft projects, dried arrangements, and seasonal displays. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Feed
WildlifeLeft-over cobs and dropped kernels provide food for birds and small mammals. Mature corn plants offer shelter for beneficial insects and birds. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest ears when husks are completely brown and papery, and kernels are hard—typically 3-4 weeks after silks appear. Peel back husk to verify kernel color and hardness. Ears should be difficult to dent with a fingernail. Remove ears by grasping firmly and twisting downward. For best popping quality, cure harvested ears in a warm (70-80°F), dry location with good airflow for 2-4 weeks until kernels reach 12-14% moisture content. Store in sealed containers in a cool, dry place.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Crackerjack Gold kernels expand to 40+ times their original size when popped, making it one of the most efficient popcorn varieties for yield.
- 🌱 This variety is an open-pollinated (heirloom) type, meaning seeds can be saved from year to year for replanting—the kernels will grow true to type.
- 🌱 Popcorn pops due to moisture trapped inside the kernel; when heated above 356°F (180°C), the water turns to steam and pressure builds until the kernel explodes.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Crackerjack Gold Popcorn planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Crackerjack Gold Popcorn seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Crackerjack Gold Popcorn timeline →