Dent Corn Seeds - Jimmy Red
Best heirloom choice for gardeners seeking versatile, flavorful culinary corn.
Discover the rare Jimmy Red Dent Corn, an American treasure making a comeback. Uniquely sweet for a dent corn due to its high sugar content, this variety was historically favored for moonshine production. Today, it excels as delicious roasting ears or when dried kernels are ground for exceptional grits and polenta. Expect plants reaching eight to ten feet tall, producing ears with beautiful, deep red kernels measuring 10 to 12 inches. This heirloom seed is small farm grown, offering gardeners a versatile and flavorful addition to their harvest.
$16.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
3
/ 6090
#3 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
+60%
Above average
Minimum Seeds per Packet
250
Who it's for
- Home cooks and distillers seeking superior flavor profiles
- Sustainable gardeners interested in preserving heirloom genetic diversity
- Southern growers needing heat-tolerant, disease-resistant crop varieties
Who should skip it
- Commercial farmers prioritizing maximum volume and high-yield production
- Casual gardeners lacking the equipment for processing dried grains
- Urban growers with limited space for large-scale block planting
Performance breakdown
Culinary Versatility
Equally impressive as fresh roasting ears or ground into premium grits.
Heirloom Rarity
A historic, nearly extinct variety that brings genuine heritage to gardens.
Flavor Profile
High sugar content provides a sweetness rarely found in dent corn.
Visual Impact
Deep red kernels create a striking aesthetic in the vegetable patch.
Growth Scale
Towering eight to ten-foot stalks demand significant vertical garden space.
Sourcing Integrity
Small-farm production ensures high-quality, ethically sourced heirloom seeds.
Key Specs
Minimum Seeds per Packet
250
Packet Weight
1/4 lb
Days to Maturity
100 days
Sowing Method
Direct Seed
Seed Depth
1"
Soil Temperature for Planting
65-85 ℉
Mature Plant Spacing
8-12"
Sun Requirement
Full Sun
Features
- Uniquely sweet dent corn with high sugar content
- Produces beautiful, deep red kernels
- Versatile for roasting, grits, and polenta
- Heirloom variety, a nearly extinct treasure
- Plants grow 8 to 10 feet tall
- Small farm grown by Four Sisters Farm
What customers say
Customer satisfaction with Jimmy Red Dent Corn Seeds centers on superior quality and flavor. Reviewers consistently praise the exceptional germination rates, even in difficult conditions. The primary appeal is the harvested grain's deep red color and unparalleled taste, making it ideal for authentic grits and cornmeal described as the best ever. Gardeners value preserving this historic heirloom variety, viewing the purchase as an investment in agricultural heritage. Plants exhibit vigor and produce substantial ears, confirming seed integrity. While priced slightly higher than commodity seeds, customers agree the premium is justified by the unique culinary outcome. This variety is a must grow for enthusiasts seeking top-tier ingredients for traditional Southern cooking.
Know before you buy
While it is a dent corn, Jimmy Red has a higher sugar content than many other varieties. You can enjoy it as roasting ears when harvested at the milk stage, or let it mature fully to grind into high-quality grits and polenta.
These plants grow quite tall, reaching 8 to 10 feet in height. You should space them 8 to 12 inches apart to ensure they have enough room to thrive.
Jimmy Red corn requires full sun and soil temperatures between 65°F and 85°F. Plant the seeds directly into the soil at a depth of 1 inch once the danger of frost has passed in the spring.
This variety typically takes 100 days to reach maturity. Keep this timeline in mind when planning your planting schedule to ensure you have enough warm weather for the full growing cycle.
Yes, Jimmy Red is a rare heirloom variety that was once nearly extinct. By growing these seeds, you are helping to preserve a piece of American agricultural history.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.