Sweet Corn
Double Red Sweet Corn is a stunning heirloom variety that turns heads in both the garden and on the dinner plate. Bred by the late Dr. Alan Kapuler in Corvallis, Oregon, this corn features deep red kernels, red husks, foliage, cob, and silk, packed with sweet, rich flavor and loaded with antioxidants. It grows 5 to 6 feet tall and reaches harvest in about 75 days, thriving in zones 3 to 9. Beyond its extraordinary appearance, the kernels deliver serious nutritional punch, making this variety as nutritious as it is visually striking.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-9
72in H x 8in W
Annual
High
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The moment you see Double Red Sweet Corn growing in your garden, you'll understand why it's earned its reputation as one of the most beautiful corns ever bred. Every part of the plant glows red, kernels, husks, foliage, cob, and silk, creating a showstopper that looks as good as it tastes. The deep red kernels naturally contain anthocyanins, the same antioxidants found in dark berries and purple foods, and they stain your fingers while you eat, a beautiful badge of their pigment intensity. Fresh, steamed, or boiled, the flavor is genuinely sweet and delicious, but this variety's versatility extends far beyond the cob; the kernels dent in a unique way that sits between a flour corn and a sweet corn, making them excellent for grinding into colorful cornmeal or flour.
Fresh Double Red Sweet Corn is delicious steamed or boiled like any sweet corn, offering both stunning visual appeal and genuine sweetness at the table. Beyond fresh eating, the kernels excel at being dried and ground into vibrant red cornmeal or flour, producing strikingly colored cornbread and baked goods that carry both nutritional density and visual drama. The antioxidant-rich kernels make this variety particularly appealing to home cooks interested in nutrient-dense foods, and the striking color makes it a natural choice for dishes where visual impact matters.
Sow Double Red Sweet Corn seeds directly outdoors after the last frost date when soil temperature reaches 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant seeds at the specified depth and spacing directly where they will grow, as corn does not transplant well.
Harvest Double Red Sweet Corn when the silks have turned brown and the kernels are plump and full, typically around 75 days after sowing. Gently pull the ear downward and away from the stalk with a slight twist to detach it. To check for readiness, pierce a kernel with your fingernail; it should release a milky liquid, indicating peak sweetness and ripeness. Because this variety's kernels dent slightly, they may take a few days longer to reach that perfect milk stage compared to standard sweet corn varieties.
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“Double Red Sweet Corn carries the legacy of Dr. Alan Kapuler, a visionary plant breeder who worked in Corvallis, Oregon, developing varieties that prioritized both nutrition and garden beauty. Kapuler's work focused on breeding crops that were as nourishing as they were stunning, and Double Red stands as a testament to that philosophy. This Oregon heirloom was preserved and championed by seed savers and heirloom gardeners who recognized its unique combination of ornamental appeal and nutritional density, eventually finding its way into the catalogs of dedicated heirloom seed companies. The variety represents the bridge between edible gardening and garden aesthetics, proving that food crops can be both functional and beautiful.”