How to Grow Jimmy Red Corn
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Jimmy Red Corn
Zea mays subsp. mays
vegetableJimmy Red is a heirloom dent corn variety prized for its deep red kernels and exceptional flavor, originally from the American South. It's primarily grown for grinding into cornmeal and flour rather than fresh eating, though it can be enjoyed as sweet corn when harvested early. This open-pollinated variety has become increasingly popular among grain farmers, chefs, and heritage seed enthusiasts for its superior taste and historical significance.
When should you plant Jimmy Red Corn in your zone?
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Example Jimmy Red Corn timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Jimmy Red Corn
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Jimmy Red Corn
Around Aug 5≈ 110 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Jimmy Red Corn dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-8, particularly zones 6-8 where it matures reliably
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Seedling
1-2 weeksSingle leaf blade emerges from soil; second and third leaves follow. Plant is 2-6 inches tall with shallow, developing root system.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings to proper spacing if direct seeded. Monitor for slugs and cutworms.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops 6-12 true leaves, reaching 12-24 inches. Root system expands deeply. Characteristic deep green color visible.
Apply balanced fertilizer when plant is 6 inches tall or side-dress with compost. Ensure consistent watering. Begin cultivation to control weeds.
Tassel & Silk Emergence
2-3 weeksTassel (male flowers) appears at top of plant, followed by silks (female stigmas) emerging from ear nodes. Plant reaches 5-7 feet tall.
Critical watering period—maintain 1-1.5 inches per week. Avoid nitrogen excess now. This stage determines kernel set and yield.
Kernel Filling & Milk Stage
3-4 weeksKernels develop and fill with starch; if squeezed, they release milky juice. Silks brown and dry. Husks tighten around ears.
Continue consistent watering but begin reducing. Watch for corn borers. Do not fertilize at this point.
Dent & Maturity
2-3 weeksA dent forms at top of each kernel (characteristic of dent corn); kernels shrink slightly and harden. Color deepens to rich red. Stalks and husks dry.
Reduce watering significantly. Allow kernels to fully dry in field if weather permits. Stalks should yellow and become brittle.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Monitor plants for entry holes and frass (sawdust-like droppings). Hand-pick affected plant parts. Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) sprays. Plant resistant varieties when available. Destroy infested crop residue.
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Apply mineral oil or kaolin clay spray to silks. Hand-pick from ears. Use Bt sprays when larvae are young. Plant trap crops nearby to draw pests away.
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Monitor seedlings and whorls for feeding damage. Use Bt spray on young larvae. Hand-pick and destroy. Encourage natural predators.
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps. Reflective mulch can deter infestations.
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Store harvested grain in airtight containers. Freeze grain at 0°F for 7-10 days to kill all life stages. Use diatomaceous earth in storage if infestation occurs.
Uses
Heirloom Cornmeal & Polenta
CulinaryJimmy Red kernels are stone-ground into distinctive red cornmeal valued by chefs for superior flavor, nutty complexity, and creamy polenta. The grain's natural sugars and unique flavor profile make it sought after for traditional Southern cooking and artisanal grain products. [source]
Corn Whiskey & Spirits
CulinaryThe variety is particularly prized in craft distilling for bourbon and corn whiskey production due to its higher grain yield and distinctive flavor compounds. Heritage distillers specifically seek Jimmy Red for authenticity and superior finished product character. [source]
Animal Feed & Livestock Nutrition
HouseholdJimmy Red corn is an excellent feed grain for poultry, swine, and other livestock. The nutritional profile and natural pigmentation (which adds color to egg yolks in chickens) make it valued by small-scale and heritage breed farmers. [source]
Traditional & Nutritional Use
MedicinalRed corn varieties contain higher concentrations of anthocyanins and other phytonutrients compared to yellow varieties. Corn silk tea is traditionally used for various health purposes, and whole grain corn provides fiber and B vitamins. [source]
Decorative & Craft Uses
CraftThe striking deep red color of Jimmy Red kernels makes it popular for decorative fall arrangements, wreaths, and dried corn crafts. The cobs can be used for mulch, animal bedding, or biofuel. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
For cornmeal and flour: Allow ears to fully mature and dry on the stalk until kernels are hard with pronounced dent. Husks will be completely dry and brown. Harvest when stalks and husks are brittle, typically 110-130 days after planting. Ears can remain on plant through light frost. Shell kernels from cob by hand, foot, or mechanical sheller. Dry kernels to 12-14% moisture content for storage. For eating fresh: Harvest 20-25 days after silking when kernels are still plump but dent is visible.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Jimmy Red corn nearly disappeared completely by the late 1990s, with fewer than a handful of seed savers maintaining the variety. It has experienced a remarkable revival thanks to heritage seed companies and chefs seeking authentic Southern ingredients, and is now cultivated across the United States.
- 🌱 The variety was named after Jimmy Red (James Clarence Red), a legendary South Carolina farmer and seed keeper who maintained the heirloom strain for decades despite near-extinction of the variety.
- 🌱 Jimmy Red kernels develop their deep crimson color from the same anthocyanin compounds found in red wine and berries, making it one of the most visually striking and nutritionally complex heirloom corn varieties available.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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