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How to Grow Indian Corn (Dent Corn) - Hickory King

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Indian Corn (Dent Corn) - Hickory King

Zea mays subsp. mays

vegetable

Hickory King is a heritage dent corn variety known for its large kernels, small cob, and excellent flavor for both fresh eating and grinding into cornmeal. This open-pollinated cultivar produces 7-8 foot tall stalks with large ears containing distinctive dented kernels at maturity. It's prized by homesteaders and traditional cooks for its nutritional quality and historical significance dating back to pre-1900s American agriculture.

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Example Indian Corn (Dent Corn) - Hickory King timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Indian Corn (Dent Corn) - Hickory King

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Indian Corn (Dent Corn) - Hickory King

    Around Aug 5

    ≈ 110 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Indian Corn (Dent Corn) - Hickory King dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily (10 hours preferred for best yields)
💧
Water: 1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture during silking and tasseling stages. Deep watering less frequently is better than shallow frequent watering to encourage deep root development. Do not let soil dry out during critical periods.
📏
Spacing: 8-12 inches between plants in rows 30-36 inches apart; thin seedlings to proper spacing after emergence inches
📅
Days to maturity: 110-120 days
🌱
Planting depth: 1-1.5 inches; plant after last frost when soil temperature reaches 60°F minimum, 65°F or warmer preferred

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with high organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Aged compost or well-rotted manure Nitrogen-rich fertilizer (corn is nitrogen-hungry) Balanced NPK fertilizer Sulfur if pH is too high

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 4-8, can be grown in zones 3-9 with appropriate timing

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

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Growth Stages

1

Germination & Emergence

7-14 days

Seeds germinate below ground; first leaf (coleoptile) emerges after 7-10 days. Seedling develops initial root system.

Ensure soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged. Keep soil temperature above 60°F for reliable germination. Protect emerging seedlings from birds and cutworms with row covers if needed.

2

Vegetative Growth (V stages)

30-45 days

Plant develops leaves and height rapidly, reaching 2-4 feet tall. Multiple leaves unfurl from the stalk. Root system expands deeply. Plant forms tillers and side shoots.

Begin nitrogen fertilization when plants are 6-8 inches tall and again at 12-18 inches. Keep soil consistently moist. Provide supports or hilling if wind is severe. Monitor for early pest damage. Thin plants to proper spacing if not done at planting.

3

Flowering & Pollination

7-14 days

Tassel emerges from top of plant (male flowers) around 60-70 days after planting. Silks emerge from developing ears 3-5 days later (female flowers). Plant reaches near-full height (7-8 feet).

This is the most critical growth stage for yield. Maintain consistent, deep watering—soil moisture is essential during silking and tasseling. Avoid high nitrogen at this stage to prevent excessive vegetative growth. Do not disturb plants. Pollen sheds for 3-5 days; silks remain receptive for 7-10 days.

4

Kernel Development & Denting

30-40 days

Fertilized ovules develop into kernels filled with starch and nutrients. Kernels gradually fill and develop the characteristic dent (concave crown) typical of dent corn. Husks dry and tighten around ears.

Continue regular watering but reduce slightly if rainfall is adequate. Stop fertilizing. Plant gradually matures; kernels become harder and less milky. Protect ears from birds and wildlife with netting if necessary.

5

Physiological Maturity & Harvest Readiness

10-20 days or longer if field-drying

Stalks dry down and turn brown. Husks become papery and pale. Kernels are hard with prominent dents and reduced moisture content (ideal 15-20% for storage).

Once kernels reach hard dent stage, watering can stop. Allow ears to dry on stalk in the field if weather permits (reduces handling and disease). Harvest when husks are completely dry and peel back easily. Store in cool, dry location.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beans (nitrogen fixation in Three Sisters) Squash (ground cover in Three Sisters) Pumpkins Melons Cucumbers Peas Lettuce (uses shade from tall stalks) Spinach Marigolds (pest deterrent)

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) Fennel (allelopathic) Tomatoes (similar nutrient needs, pest competition) Other corn varieties at different pollination times (cross-pollination risk if isolation is critical)

Common Pests

  • Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) when silks first emerge and repeat every 3-5 days. Remove and destroy infested ears. Encourage parasitic wasps. Hand-pick caterpillars from ears.

  • Apply spinosad or Bt when young larvae are visible. Use pheromone traps for monitoring. Remove affected plant material. Encourage natural predators.

  • Apply Bt at whorl stage and again 1-2 weeks later. Remove and burn infested stalks. Plant resistant varieties if available. Rotate crops yearly.

  • Spray strong water stream to dislodge. Apply insecticidal soap if severe. Use reflective mulch. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs.

  • Spray with water to increase humidity. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe. Encourage predatory mites. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.

  • Hand-pick in early morning. Use pheromone traps away from plants. Apply neem oil. Encourage natural predators.

  • Remove and destroy galls before they rupture and spread spores. Avoid overhead watering. Rotate crops. Use resistant varieties if available. Improve air circulation.

  • Remove affected leaves. Improve air circulation by pruning lower leaves. Avoid overhead watering. Apply fungicide if severe. Rotate crops annually.

Uses

🍳

Cornmeal & Polenta

Culinary

Hickory King's large kernels and small cob are ideal for grinding into fine, flavorful cornmeal used in traditional Southern cooking, polenta, cornbread, and tortillas. The variety is prized for producing coarse or fine meal with excellent nutritional value and a naturally sweet flavor. [source]

🍳

Fresh Corn-on-the-Cob

Culinary

When harvested at the late milk to early dough stage (before kernels fully dent), Hickory King offers tender, sweet kernels suitable for boiling, grilling, or eating fresh. It's considerably sweeter than field corn varieties when picked young. [source]

🏠

Animal Feed & Forage

Household

Mature dried kernels provide nutritious feed for chickens, livestock, and other animals. Hickory King's large kernel size ensures efficient feeding and minimal waste compared to smaller-kerneled corn varieties. [source]

🎨

Decorative & Ornamental Use

Craft

The distinctive large kernels, attractive deep color variations, and small cob make Hickory King ideal for fall decorations, corn cob crafts, and dried arrangements. The kernels are often used in decorative corn arrangements and craft projects. [source]

🍳

Traditional Cuisine & Heirloom Cooking

Culinary

As a heritage open-pollinated variety, Hickory King maintains historical significance in Southern and Appalachian cooking traditions. It's valued by food historians and traditional cooks for authentic reproduction of historical recipes and regional dishes. [source]

Harvest Tips

Harvest when husks are completely dry and papery, usually 110-120 days after planting. Kernels should be hard with pronounced dents and rattle slightly inside husks. Peel back husk and twist ear sharply downward to break from stalk. For ornamental use, harvest after first hard frost. For eating fresh as corn-on-the-cob, harvest when kernels are in late milk to early dough stage (before full denting). For cornmeal or storage, allow kernels to fully dent and dry on the plant. After harvest, hang ears in mesh bags in a cool, dry location (50-60°F, 30-40% humidity) for 2-4 weeks to cure before shelling.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Hickory King earned its name from the hickory-nut sized kernels and small cob ratio, which are exceptionally large compared to the cob size—this makes it extraordinarily efficient for milling and grinding.
  • 🌱 This variety has been grown continuously in the American South since the 1800s and is considered one of the best open-pollinated dent corn varieties for home use, meaning you can save seeds year after year for future plantings.
  • 🌱 Corn is technically a fruit (a caryopsis, a type of grain), not a vegetable, and was domesticated from teosinte grass over 9,000 years ago in Mexico. Hickory King represents centuries of careful selection by farmers preserving this agricultural heritage.

Gardening Terms

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

Crown Cultivar Full Sun Germination Open-Pollinated Row Cover
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