Dent Corn Seeds - Reid's Yellow
Best heirloom variety for gardeners seeking productive, historically significant corn crops.
Cultivate a piece of agricultural heritage with Reid's Yellow Dent Corn Seeds, a productive and hardy heirloom variety. Developed in the mid-1800s, this corn was once the most widely grown dent corn in the US and is a genetic source for many modern hybrids. Expect robust, nine-foot-tall plants yielding nine-inch ears. A 1/4 lb packet provides a minimum of 400 seeds. For optimal growth, direct sow after the last frost when soil temperatures are between 65-85℉, ensuring a minimum 3x3 block planting for proper wind pollination. Harvest when husks are completely brown and ears are fully dry.
$8.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
3139
/ 5901
#3139 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-16%
Below average
Minimum Seeds per Packet
400
Who it's for
- Sustainable gardeners prioritizing seed saving and self-sufficiency
- Homesteaders seeking reliable, high-volume grain production
- Culinary enthusiasts making homemade cornmeal and livestock feed
Who should skip it
- Gardeners wanting low-maintenance crops resistant to modern pests
- Northern growers with short, cool summer seasons
- Home cooks looking for sweet, tender corn on the cob
Performance breakdown
Genetic Heritage
Authentic heirloom lineage provides a direct link to agricultural history.
Yield Potential
Robust stalks produce reliable, substantial harvests for home growers.
Pollination Complexity
Requires strategic block planting to ensure successful kernel development.
Hardiness
Proven, resilient variety that thrives in diverse garden environments.
Growth Scale
Impressive nine-foot height demands significant vertical space in the garden.
Seed Density
Generous packet count offers excellent value for large-scale planting.
Key Specs
Minimum Seeds per Packet
400
Packet Weight
1/4 lb
Planting Season
After Last Frost
Seed Depth
1"
Direct Seed Spacing
3"
Soil Temperature
65-85 ℉
Mature Spacing
8-12"
Days to Maturity
90
Features
- Historical heirloom agricultural variety
- Productive and reliably hardy performance
- Plants reach nine feet tall
- Ears grow to nine inches long
- Gene stock for modern hybrids
- Requires block planting for pollination
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly value the reliability and quality of these Reid's Yellow Dent Corn Seeds. A key highlight is the exceptional germination, leading to strong, robust growth and impressive yields. Gardeners appreciate that the corn remains true to type, producing large, classic yellow ears perfect for feed or grinding into flavorful cornmeal. The dense, high quality of the resulting grain confirms the seed's utility and heritage value. While standard corn growing challenges exist, the seed itself is consistently praised as a premium, dependable product that delivers abundant harvests, solidifying its reputation among homesteaders.
Know before you buy
Corn is wind-pollinated, meaning the pollen must travel from the tassels at the top of the plant to the silks on the ears. Planting in a block rather than a single long row ensures better pollen distribution and prevents poorly filled ears.
Reid's Yellow Dent is a vigorous variety that reaches approximately nine feet in height. Be sure to choose a location in your garden that can accommodate this height without shading out smaller crops.
It is best to direct sow these seeds after the danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures reach at least 65℉. Corn generally has a sensitive root system and does not transplant well, so direct seeding is the preferred method for success.
Unlike sweet corn, which is harvested while the kernels are milky, this dent corn should be left on the stalk until the husks are completely brown and the ears are fully dry. This allows the kernels to harden properly for storage or grinding.
Each 1/4 lb packet contains a minimum of 400 seeds. This quantity is sufficient for a substantial block planting to ensure successful pollination.
Because this corn grows nine feet tall and requires block planting for pollination, it is better suited for larger garden plots rather than containers or small raised beds. You will need enough space to create at least a 3x3 foot grid to ensure a good harvest.
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