Are ya convinced yet? If you've never grown Dakota Black Pop popcorn, you're in for a treat! If you’re already growing Dakota Black Pop-- a major decision point is knowing when to harvest.
Getting It Just Right
Timing is crucial for ensuring the kernels are just right for popping. Generally, popcorn is ready to harvest when the ears have fully matured. This usually occurs about 95-105 days after planting Dakota Black Pop, depending on your growing conditions.
We don’t even start thinking about picking our popcorn until after our first frost. You wanna wait until the plant has transferred every bit of ‘green’ energy to the popcorn kernels. So as long as the corn stalk has any green left—hold off on picking, if you can!
Signs It's About Time
One of the first signs that your popcorn is near ready to harvest is the appearance of the husks. They will turn dry and brown. And the silk at the top of the ears will be dark brown and crispy dry. At this point, the ears should be left on the stalks to further dry down for at least a couple more weeks-- if the weather permits.
Got a ways to go yet!
When the stalk no longer shows any green color, check if the kernels are ready. Pull back the husks slightly and inspect a few kernels. They should be hard, glossy and dry. If not, allow the ears to dry longer on the stalks.
The IFs, ANDs, or BUTs
The longer that popcorn dries-- outside on the stalk-- the better. Let the cobs dry on the stalks for as long as the weather holds. But there are some caveats—some circumstances that warrant an earlier than ideal picking!
Bring those cobs in before your weather turns wet. Obviously! AND if you’re having trouble with coons and/or squirrels, you may wanna get the cobs under cover to protect them from these marauders-- before they take it all for their own winter store!
How to Harvest and Cure
When it's time to harvest pull the ears from the stalks and peel back the husks. This will allow the ears to dry further.
Store the curing ears of popcorn in a cool, dry place for a few weeks-- ideally on a screen with good air circulation. Or tie bunches of cobs by the husks and hang them somewhere dry and airy.
Dakota Black Pop popcorn on the drying rack
Then your job is to wait patiently! We’ve found that it usually takes about a month for the popcorn to fully cure and dry down enough to shell from the cob.
Shell, Clean and Store
To test if it’s ready to shell— wearing protective gloves, take a cob in both hands and gently twist— one hand twisting clockwise and the other counterclockwise. It’s best to start on the narrow tip of the cob. If the kernels easily dislodge and fall free, it’s ready to shell. If not—if you have to twist and rub aggressively, let them dry down longer.
Once the kernels are easy to dislodge, we run the cobs through an old-fashioned corn sheller. Ours is equipped with an electric motor. However, it was originally a hand-cranked model!
We like to remove the popcorn from the cobs all at once. Once the shelling is complete, drop the kernels through the airstream from a box fan into a rough tote—blowing the chaff away and leaving nicely cleaned popcorn-- ready to jar or store in a pail with a tight-fitting lid!
Dakota Black Pop popcorn-- needs a refill!
Store the jars or pails at room temperature in a dark, dry pantry, cupboard or closet. (We do not recommend storing your popcorn in the freezer!)
Ready to Enjoy!
Your homegrown popcorn is now ready to be popped and enjoyed! If you have any trouble with the pop-ability of your popcorn—all is NOT lost! Check-out my blogpost on that topic here-- for the extra FREE bonus I promised you!
Growing popcorn at home is a fun journey from seed to snack. Popcorn is easy to grow. Follow our tips to ensure a perfect batch of popcorn! Wow the kids and grandkids! Why not give it a try for a fun gardening project?
Your garden coach,
Theresa
PS. Dakota Black Pop popcorn will become your favorite winter snack food! Enjoy!