Name: Organic 'Fisher's Earliest' Sweet Corn Seeds
Brand: Gaia
Price: 4.99 CAD
Availability: InStock

Sale Sold out

Open-pollinated seeds. Poaceae.

Gaia

Zea mays.

From seed to harvest

HeirloomOpen-pollinated

Common nameFisher’s Earliest sweet corn.

FamilyPoaceae.

GenusZea

Speciesmays.

CultivarFisher's Earliest

TypeOpen-pollinated seeds.

Botanical nameZea mays.

Reproducible seedsYes

Heirloom varietytrue

Quantity per packet60 seeds

Organic 'Fisher's Earliest' Sweet Corn Seeds (Zea mays). It is an early, open-pollinated sweet corn. Ears grow to approximately 15 cm long and may have up to twelve rows of kernels. Eat the harvest promptly to enjoy its sweetness. This heirloom suits gardeners seeking a relatively early corn for the home garden. The packet contains 60 seeds certified organic by Ecocert Canada according to Gaia. Keep the packet and growing notes until harvest to confirm the variety and compare results from season to season. For practical seed starting, growing from seed succeeds best when the verified product depth, moisture and temperature guidance is followed.

Direct sow once frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed to approximately 19°C or higher. Plant kernels 2.5 to 5 cm deep in loosened soil. Gaia suggests an optional soak in warm water for no more than twelve hours. Water after sowing and keep the area moist until emergence, usually in 5 to 8 days under good conditions. Protect seedlings from birds if needed. Plant in a block of several short rows, ideally four or more, to support wind pollination. Space plants 20 to 25 cm apart and rows 60 to 90 cm apart. Use the product details as a clear guide on how to start seeds while keeping the growing medium evenly moist, never saturated. For indoor seed starting, count back from local conditions and frost dates to decide when to start indoor seeds.

Check ears around the stated maturity window. Silks turn brown and dry as kernels fill. A pressed kernel should release a milky liquid, indicating the sweet-corn harvest stage. Pick and cook ears promptly because sweetness declines after harvest. Refrigerate any ears not eaten immediately. Earliness is this variety’s main advantage. Record sowing and emergence dates and observed conditions so future corn crops can be adjusted to the local microclimate.

Light and life cycle

In the garden

Exposure: Full sun.
Life cycle: Annual.
Hardiness: Cultivée comme annuelle après le dernier gel.

Sowing and germination

Sowing guide

Sowing & germination

Sowing depth

2.5 to 5 cm (0.98 to 2 in).

Spacing / density

20 to 25 cm (7.9 to 9.8 in.) between plants; 60 to 90 cm (23.6 to 35.4 in.) between rows, planted in a block.

Germination temperature

20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F); Gaia lists an optimum of 29 to 32 °C (84.2 to 89.6 °F).

Germination time

5 to 8 days at 20 to 30 °C; Gaia lists an optimum of 29 to 32 °C.

Propagation

By seed; isolate plants if saving seed to preserve varietal purity.

Growing method

Plant corn in a block rather than one long row so wind-borne pollen can reach the silks and ears fill well. Choose full sun, fertile soil and a site that can be watered easily. To preserve varietal characteristics, avoid nearby corn that will shed pollen at the same time. Water deeply when the soil begins to dry, especially as tassels and silks appear and kernels develop. For starting corn seeds indoors, use individual cells and transplant promptly to minimize root disturbance. This seed starting sequence supports reliable growing from seed while preserving the product-specific depth and temperature facts.

Soil and care

Soil & care

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0.

Moisture

Evenly moist soil with no standing water.

Minimum temperature

Frost-tender; plant after the last frost once nights remain mild.

Care level

Moderate.

Watering

Consistent moisture is especially important at this stage. Mulch once the soil has warmed and avoid deep hoeing near the roots. In hot, windy weather, inspect the corn block more often for water stress.

Soil type

Choose fertile, loose, well-drained soil that holds even moisture without remaining saturated. Incorporate finished compost before planting and avoid cold or compacted ground. In containers, use vegetable potting mix rather than garden soil alone. Effective drainage keeps air around the roots and reduces problems caused by standing water.

Fertilization

Incorporate finished compost at planting. Supplement with a vegetable fertilizer according to its label and the soil’s fertility, especially in containers where frequent watering leaches nutrients. Avoid excess nitrogen, which favours leaves over fruit. Water a dry root ball before fertilizing and adjust applications to actual growth.

Seasonal care

Wait for warm soil before block planting in spring. Thin crowded seedlings and weed gently while plants are young. In early summer, support growth with needed nutrients without placing fertilizer against stems. Maintain consistent moisture as tassels and silks form. This variety comes from the estimated maturity date, check ears regularly for the milk stage. Harvest in cool weather when possible, chill promptly, then remove stalks and rotate to another vegetable family.

Growing in containers

Container growing

Recommended pot size

In-ground growing is recommended; use a large communal container only as a trial.

Corn is better suited to an in-ground block than to an individual pot. For a container trial, use a very large, deep container with drainage holes and enough room for several plants to flower together. Place it in full sun, water frequently and fertilize as directed. Secure the container against wind. A small number of plants may pollinate unevenly and produce poorly filled ears.

Growth and harvest

Size, flowering & harvest

Mature height

150 to 210 cm (59.1 to 82.7 in.).

Width / spread

Approximately 30 to 45 cm (11.8 to 17.7 in.)

Flower color

Greenish yellow.

Foliage color

Green.

Foliage type

Herbaceous annual.

Growth rate

Varies with warmth, light and growth stage.

Growth habit

Upright stalks.

Edible parts

Grains harvested at the milky stage.

Bloom period

The panic at the top produces pollen; The silks of the ears correspond to the female flowers. Pollen is mainly transported by the wind. Each grain depends on successful fertilization, which explains the interest of block plantings and regular watering at flowering. Insects can visit pollen, but they are not the main pollination agents of corn.

Days to maturity

About 70 days.

Garden companions

Garden associations

Companion plants & uses

Companion plants

Squash and beans can be used in a traditional planting with corn when spacing and planting dates are planned carefully. Keep rows accessible for watering and do not let sprawling vines overload or obstruct the corn. This arrangement requires active management and does not guarantee a higher yield.

Plants to avoid

Avoid plants that compete heavily with corn for water, nitrogen or light. To preserve varietal purity, separate this crop from other corn varieties that flower at the same time.

Garden use

Remove husks and silks just before cooking. Boil ears briefly until the kernels are tender, then serve with butter or oil and herbs. Cooked kernels can also be cut from the cob for salads. Cool and refrigerate leftovers promptly; for longer storage, blanch and freeze using a corn-specific method.

Wildlife and pets

Wildlife & precautions

Supporting wildlife

Insects may harvest pollen from panicles, but the fertilization of corn is mainly based on wind. Birds and small mammals can also be attracted to seeds and ears. Protect the culture as needed while maintaining good air circulation.

Frequently asked questions

How many 'Fisher's Earliest' Sweet Corn seeds are in the packet?

The Gaia packet contains 60 seeds. Store unused Fisher’s Earliest sweet corn seed in its labelled packet in a cool, dry, dark place.

How long do 'Fisher's Earliest' Sweet Corn seeds take to germinate?

Emergence generally takes 5 to 8 days at 20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F), with a Gaia-listed optimum of 29 to 32 °C (84.2 to 89.6 °F). Keep the growing medium evenly moist but never waterlogged, and provide bright light as soon as seedlings emerge. When growing from seed, keep conditions stable for the full stated germination window before disturbing the mix.