VegetableCorn
Northstine Dent Corn
Northstine Dent Corn is a heritage open-pollinated variety bred for the short growing seasons of Northern Michigan, maturing in 100 days and reaching 7 feet tall with 7 to 8 inch ears. This organic, non-GMO corn dries faster than other dent varieties, making it surprisingly practical for northern gardeners and anyone seeking to grind their own flour and cornmeal. It thrives in heat and drought-prone regions across hardiness zones 3 through 11, and its ability to succeed where other corn varieties struggle makes it a reliable choice for extending corn cultivation into cooler climates.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
84 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
10
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-11
Size
84in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
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Highlights
Northstine Dent Corn originated in Northern Michigan as a solution to a real problem: most corn varieties couldn't finish in short growing seasons. Its reputation rests on rapid dry-down, a trait that matters enormously if you're harvesting, storing, and milling your own grain. The variety handles heat and drought stress with remarkable poise, thriving where other corns merely survive. Gardeners who live north of where corn 'should' grow will find this variety rewarding; it's bred for exactly their conditions.
Common Uses
Northstine Dent Corn is grown primarily for grain rather than fresh eating. Its ideal use is grinding into flour and yellow cornmeal, making it the choice for bakers, polenta makers, cornbread enthusiasts, and anyone committed to milling their own corn products. The dried kernels also work for popcorn (though not specifically bred for it), animal feed, and decorative autumn displays.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow Northstine Dent Corn into the garden after the last spring frost date, when soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant seeds 10 inches apart in rows spaced 36 inches apart, in full sun. For areas with shorter growing seasons, start seeds as soon as soil is workable in spring to maximize the 100-day maturation window.
Harvesting
Northstine Dent Corn reaches harvest maturity in 100 to 109 days. The ears are ready when the husks dry and papery, and kernels have formed the characteristic dent (indentation) at the crown of each kernel. Allow ears to fully dry on the stalk if possible, which Northstine Dent accomplishes faster than most dent varieties. Harvest by twisting or cutting ears from the stalk once the kernels have hardened completely. For grain use, allow ears to reach full dryness before shelling.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Zea mays
Family
Poaceae
Genus
Zea
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (I)
History & Origin
“Northstine Dent Corn carries the story of Northern Michigan agriculture within its genetics. Developed in a region where traditional dent corn maturity dates made reliable harvests uncertain, this variety emerged as a practical answer to the constraints of short growing seasons. Its origins reflect the ingenuity of farmers who needed corn that would not just survive but genuinely mature in northern conditions, and its preservation as an open-pollinated heirloom ensures that gardeners today can grow the same genetics that proved themselves across generations of northern harvests.”