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Chilean Green Corn
95 days to harvest
Zea mays
Looking deceptively familiar, Chilean Green Corn is no ordinary corn. In fact, she is our favorite corn in the height of summer. Her flavor is unlike any we’ve ever tasted: rather than an ear of sweet corn, Chilean Green Corn is rich, savory corn that will transform your idea of what corn is. Harvested in the ‘milk’ stage like sweet corn, we grill each cob and toss the kernels on tacos, salad, salsa, soup, eggs: her succulent, savory flavor and juicy crunch compliments it all.
Also called ‘choclo,’ we first tasted this corn from the gardens of Bill Tracy and have since enjoyed it in South America where it is beloved in so many ways, including simply grilled and enjoyed as sweet corn, slathered in salted butter, lime and smoked chiles. We selected this variety for four years on our farm, before it was ready to share, refining its early maturity and making sure it will thrive for you, even in short seasons.
Organic Chilean Green Corn
Planting Method: Direct Sow Only
When to sow: Once soil temperatures are at least 65°F (mid-May to mid June) — seeds will rot in cooler temps. Successively plant every 1-2 weeks to extend your harvest window.
Sowing and seedling care: Sow 6” apart (or 2 every 12”), and watch out for crows who like to eat germinating corn! For well-filled ears, sow in blocks rather than rows.
Seed Depth: 3/4 – 1 inch Sun Needs: Full
Days to Germination: 4-7 days at 75°F; 10 at 65°F
Spacing after thinning: 12 inches; rows 30-36″ apart
Days to Harvest: 95
Height: 6 feet
Harvest… and cook =): Harvest at milk stage when ear silks are dry and brown for short-term cooking (soups! salsas! … and don’t compost your cobs! Chilean Green Corn makes the best stock we’ve ever had, plant-based or otherwise, rich and velvety, subtly sweet and deeply savory.) To store dry, harvest in fall when stalk & husks are gold & dry; peel husks back & dry out of the sun with fans for 2 weeks.
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Fran B (verified owner) –
I am from Chile and I missed corn (choclo pastelero/humero) so much!! I found this seeds last year aaand… I don’t even know where to start.
Very good sprouting ratio, but I wished I planted 200 of them!!!
Melissa Knox –
Hi Fran, So glad you are loving this variety! Thanks for sharing with us! <3
Melissa
Nancy Abarca Hernandez –
I am still waiting, here in Rochester too much rain this summer but they are looking good. I am ordering more seeds for next year.
America Soto (verified owner) –
I’m originally from Chile and I live in Iowa, the corn State but people don’t know about this type of corn, except some farmers. Everyone here should try it. It is tasty! We make different meals in the summer out of it or we cook them and just butter on top, they are great! We planted two rows of seeds I bought from you and they are growing well. Hopefully we get the “ fabulous Chilean choclos! Thank you for the excellent job you do.