Hjerleid Blue Corn
Item Details
This mid-season-maturing corn topped the list when Seed Savers Exchange staff ranked a dozen corn varieties for flavor in 2018! The ears of this white sweet corn turn a striking dark blue at maturity but are most flavorful (and have tender kernels) when just slightly blue in color. Seed Savers Exchange received this variety from Marvin Gonitzke, who in turn received it from Eugene Hjerleid, a coworker at Johnson Printing in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This corn was grown since at least the early 1940s in Blair, Wisconsin, by Eugene’s grandfather, Ludwig Hjerleid.
- 100 days
- Organic
- Plants grow 4 - 6 feet tall and bears ears reaching 4 - 6 inches long
- Ideal for freezing and fresh eating
- Sweet corn
This variety works for:
- Fresh eating
- Freezing
Gardeners familiar with hybrid sweet corn may need to adjust their palates to the savory, rich flavor of heirloom sweet corns. Nevertheless, these ears are delicious boiled or grilled with butter and salt.
Try adding fresh dill, cilantro, lime, cracked black or white pepper, or chili flakes to your corn.
Growing Instructions
Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors 1” deep after danger of frost has passed. For good pollination and full ears, plant in blocks of 3-6 rows instead of one long row. Thin seedlings to 8” apart. Corn is a heavy feeder and does best in well-drained, fertile soil with plenty of water.
- Direct Seed: 4" Apart
- Germination: 4-21 Days
- Rows Apart: 36-48"
- Light: Full Sun
Ratings & Reviews
3 reviews
Starting Strong - Germ temps night 50 day 65 to 75 f. SOIL NOT DIRT!
by Robert
I am not an expert in corn but from my germination I would say I am VERY impressed by the growth rate and proficiency of germ <90%. I am in Pittsburgh PA, Roughly 6B climate and popped them on the first full moon of May, according to the linage they grew in Wisconsin but being maize I feel like a slightly warmer climate if properly adjusted will work perfectly. Thank you for this opportunity seed savers. I thought by the pictures and catalog I would be impressed but I am now thinking corn may be my new favorite crop to grow!
Super cute and tasty!
by DianeE
This was my first attempt at growing corn in my Maine garden, and what a surprise these were in every way!
This variety had shorter stalks for me, and produced 1-2 picture-perfect miniature cobs each. The cobs were 4-5" long and generously covered in luscious cream and blue kernels. Incredibly sweet and tasty to boot! ...as good as or better than traditional bi-colored corn at their best. Will definitely grow these in the garden again next year! :-)
Thanks to all who made this variety available to us!!
MMMM good corn and fast
by Dot
Grew this corn for the first time this year, in a high tunnel no less. I got it in a bit late I did shake the stalks each morning for pollination. From seeding to harvest was 64 days; June 25 to August 28. The stalks mostly produced 2 ears each, with 2 of the 70 I planted having 4 ears each.
The flavor and texture were excellent when only a bit of blue on the kernels had developed. In picture shown here on SSE, the ear on the right would be a day late for best flavor and texture per our liking.
We will grow this corn again.