Variety field guide
What to expect from Jimmy Red Dent corn Seeds
Jimmy Red Dent corn seeds grow into upright/erect plants reaching 97–120 in and producing approximately 10–12 in ears. The red kernels are suited to block planting, dependable pollination, dry or fresh harvest, and seed saving.
Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record
Jimmy Red Dent corn seeds grow into upright/erect plants reaching 97–120 in and producing approximately 10–12 in ears. The red kernels are suited to block planting, dependable pollination, dry or fresh harvest, and seed saving. Jimmy Red Corn Seeds produce a stunning heirloom dent corn prized for its deep red color, rich nutty flavor, and Southern heritage in grits, cornbread, and whiskey.
About Jimmy Red
Jimmy Red is an annual dent corn with red color, 97–120 in mature height or spread, and an upright/erect habit. Harvest form or size: Approximately 10–12 in ears. Botanically it is Zea mays L. Maturity or first bloom: 90-99 Days; germination: 7-10 Days at 70–85 °F. Best for block planting, dependable pollination, dry or fresh harvest, and seed saving. ‘Jimmy Red’ is a deep crimson dent corn celebrated for its rich, nutty flavor and stunning color that glows from ruby to wine-red on every cob.
History and provenance
Jimmy Red is a red dent corn preserved through continuing agricultural and culinary use in the American South. Slow Food's Ark of Taste and University of Missouri Extension describe its renewed importance for cornmeal, grits, and distilling, where the deep red grain contributes both color and a distinctive grain flavor. The seed offered here follows the cultivar name supplied with the seed lot; growers saving seed should retain source and lot records so the population's identity remains traceable.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Zea mays L. |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Annual |
| Maturity / first bloom | 90-99 Days |
| Germination | 7-10 Days at 70–85 °F |
| Seed depth | 1 in |
| Plant height / spread | 97–120 in |
| Growth habit | Upright/Erect |
| Spacing | 10 in between plants; 30 in between rows |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Soil | Loamy; pH 6.0–6.5 |
| Water | Moderate |
| Support | No-Support |
Starting Jimmy Red from seed
How to grow Jimmy Red Dent corn
Botanical identity: Zea mays L. Life cycle: Annual.
Sow 1 in and use a seed-zone temperature near 70–85 °F. Expected emergence: 7-10 Days. Direct sow after frost when the seed zone is warm; do not soak seed in cold or waterlogged soil
Plant during Late Spring. Space plants 10 in apart with 30 in between rows or planting bands.
Provide Full sun, moderate water, and loamy near pH 6.0–6.5. Support: No-Support.
Garden performance and care
Plant Jimmy Red in a block rather than one long row so wind-carried pollen reaches the silks. Keep the bed evenly watered from tasseling through ear fill, and protect mature ears from birds and mammals if seed saving. Expected emergence is 7-10 Days; the listed maturity or bloom timing is 90-99 Days.
Harvest, bloom, and uses
Jimmy Red is best for block planting, dependable pollination, dry or fresh harvest, and seed saving. Harvest form or size: Approximately 10–12 in ears. Color at the principal harvest or mature stage: Red. ‘Jimmy Red’ is a deep crimson dent corn celebrated for its rich, nutty flavor and stunning color that glows from ruby to wine-red on every cob.
Saving seed
Seed saving for Jimmy Red Select several healthy, true-to-type plants so the saved lot represents the variety rather than one unusually early or large individual. Corn is wind-pollinated and highly outcrossing. Grow a substantial population in a block rather than one long row, and isolate the seed crop from other corn by distance, flowering time, or controlled pollination. Mark representative plants before pollen shed and remove clear off-types before they contribute pollen. For seed, leave ears until husks are brown and kernels are hard. Harvest before prolonged wet weather or animal loss, remove husks, and dry ears with strong air circulation until kernels cannot be dented with a fingernail. Shell, screen, and winnow only after full dry-down. Label the crop, cultivar, lot, year, field, population size, isolation method, selected plants, and any unusual ears. Store fully dry seed cool, dark, and protected from moisture and rodents. Test germination before an important planting.
Common problems
Jimmy Red can be affected by poor pollination, corn earworm, armyworms, stalk lodging, smut, leaf diseases, birds, and rodents. Plant in a block, maintain even moisture at tasseling and silking, use balanced fertility, rotate crops, and inspect ears before storage. Uneven kernel fill usually points to pollen or silk stress rather than a seed-count problem.
Frequently asked questions
When is Jimmy Red ready?
90-99 Days from direct sowing to dry seed or fully mature harvest
How long does germination take?
Expect 7-10 Days near 70–85 °F; actual emergence changes with moisture, seed condition, and soil temperature.
How large does it grow?
About 97–120 in with an upright/erect habit. Support: No-Support.
Can it grow in a container?
Best in an in-ground block large enough for dependable wind pollination; not recommended as a single container specimen.
How is it used?
Primary uses: block planting, dependable pollination, dry or fresh harvest, and seed saving. ‘Jimmy Red’ is a deep crimson dent corn celebrated for its rich, nutty flavor and stunning color that glows from ruby to wine-red on every cob.
Can I save seed?
Yes where the crop biology allows, but keep compatible varieties isolated, use several healthy plants, wait for full seed maturity, dry thoroughly, and label the lot.
Minimum Seed Count:20 seeds
