Can You Plant Store Bought Popcorn?

Two Methods of Planting Popcorn

• One basic method for planting popcorn entails digging a hole about 2 inches deep and dropping a kernel inside. This method is far from foolproof, since the tender seedlings may not be able to withstand the elements. Instead, you can increase your chance of successful growing by soaking the kernels overnight and then rooting them in foam cups. To do this, line the cup with a wet paper towel and place the kernel between the cup and the towel. If you leave the cup in a warm place, a root should begin to grow less than a week later. Once the root seems strong, you can plant the seed outdoors or in a pot filled with an equal mixture of potting soil and peat moss.

Planting Requirements

• When you plant your popcorn kernel, make sure to do it in a sunny location with good drainage. If possible, plant the kernels between Mother's Day and the July 4. If you are planting more than one kernel (suggested), arrange them in rows, with each seed about a foot apart. The soil should have a pH of about 6.0, and the soil should be tilled well. If the pH is off, you can mix lime into it to adjust the acidity levels.

Tending the Popcorn Plants

• Once the kernels have been planted in the ground, give them about 2 inches of water each week. Use 12-12-12 fertilizer to keep the plants healthy, once when you plant the kernels, again when the stalks are about a foot or two off the ground, and again when you see tassels at the top of the stalks. Each time, you should use about a cup of fertilizer per a 50-foot row of plants.

Harvesting the Corn

• Harvest the popcorn in early October when the stalks have turned brown and the kernels have hardened and dried out. Husk the corn and put the ears into nylon stockings for two or three weeks, keeping them in a warm, dry room. To test the kernels for doneness, husk an ear of corn, cut off several kernels, and place them in a pan of boiling oil to see if they pop. If the popcorn tastes too chewy, resume the drying process for another week.