Fisher's Earliest Sweet Corn is a Montana heirloom developed 60 years ago by Ken Fisher of Belgrade to thrive in cool, harsh growing conditions, yet it performs reliably almost anywhere. Vigorous plants reach 5 to 6 feet tall and produce one ear per stalk with 10 to 12 rows of golden kernels and exceptional fill right to the tip. Ready to harvest in just 70 days, this frost-tender annual thrives in full sun and moderate water, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking an early-season corn that's as hardy as it is productive.
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Moderate
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Moderate
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Ken Fisher's decades-long selection work in Montana's challenging climate created a corn that combines genuine cold tolerance with reliable productivity. Golden ears with dense kernel rows and excellent tip fill arrive in just 70 days, fast enough to beat late-season frosts. The vigorous, multicolored stalks produce single ears per plant, concentrating energy into quality kernels rather than spreading resources thin across multiple cobs.
Fisher's Earliest Sweet Corn is grown and eaten fresh off the cob, boiled or grilled, taking advantage of its early maturity to capture summer's first corn harvest. The golden kernels and sweet flavor suit fresh eating as the primary use, with many gardeners valuing this variety specifically for its speed to maturity, which allows multiple plantings in a single season or a reliable harvest even in regions with shorter growing windows.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Direct sow seeds once soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit in spring. Seeds will sprout in 7 to 10 days under ideal conditions. Since Fisher's Earliest is frost-tender, wait until frost danger has completely passed and soil has warmed before planting. Stagger plantings every 2 to 3 weeks for successive harvests throughout the season.
Harvest ears when kernels have filled to the very tip of the cob and the silk has begun to brown and dry. The husk should feel full and tight around a mature ear. Pick ears by gripping firmly near the base and twisting sharply downward; they should snap cleanly from the stalk. Eat immediately after harvest for best sweetness, or refrigerate promptly if not using right away.
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“In the cool, short-season climate of Belgrade, Montana, Ken Fisher spent 60 years developing and selecting this sweet corn variety to meet the specific demands of his region. Through careful breeding, he created a corn that would germinate reliably in cool soil, grow vigorously despite temperature fluctuations, and mature before autumn frost arrived. This patient work resulted in a corn that carries both regional character and genuine cold-hardiness, eventually preserved and distributed through the seed-saving network of home gardeners and heirloom seed companies who recognized its value beyond Montana's borders.”