Free Shipping on Orders $35+

Login
Amazon American Express Apple Pay Diners Club Discover Google Pay Mastercard PayPal Shop Pay Venmo Visa
Non-GMO
Supports Family Farms
Heirloom

Ohio Blue Clarage Corn

Quick Facts:

  • Heirloom dating back to the 1920s
  • Large, well filled ears
  • Predominantly blue kernels
  • Great for grinding into flour & grits
  • 120 days to harvest

View full description

Quantity: Packet (50 Seeds)

shipping estimated time of arrival Get it between -

We ship to all areas of North America including the United States, its territories and outlying islands, and Canada. International orders may incur an additional charge to cover the handling of customs paperwork. Returns are accepted within 30 days of receipt. Full warranty information can be found here.

Ohio Blue Clarage Corn

More about Ohio Blue Clarage

Zea mays

Ohio Blue Clarage is an heirloom variety of corn that produces large ears containing deep set, dark blue kernels.  Originating from Ohio, this historical corn variety was once very popular, with catalogs of the day claiming that livestock producers would pay a premium for its ears, which were reported to be preferred by cattle and of a higher feed value than the common yellow dents.  The kernels are initially white and contain a higher sugar content than most dent corns (which may explain why cattle love them.)  In the days before modern sweet corn, this characteristic led many farmers to market the immature ears for roasting.  Today, Blue Clarage corn is used primarily for grinding into colorful, blue-speckle... More

Less

Zea mays

Ohio Blue Clarage is an heirloom variety of corn that produces large ears containing deep set, dark blue kernels.  Originating from Ohio, this historical corn variety was once very popular, with catalogs of the day claiming that livestock producers would pay a premium for its ears, which were reported to be preferred by cattle and of a higher feed value than the common yellow dents.  The kernels are initially white and contain a higher sugar content than most dent corns (which may explain why cattle love them.)  In the days before modern sweet corn, this characteristic led many farmers to market the immature ears for roasting.  Today, Blue Clarage corn is used primarily for grinding into colorful, blue-speckled grits and cornmeal, though it has also gained a following among craft distillers who value its ability to impart earthy and nutty flavors to whiskeys and bourbons.

As a class of open-pollinated dent corn, Clarage corn has a deep and surprisingly well-documented history that dates back to the late 1700s.  It was developed by Edwin Clarridge of Fayette County, Ohio who sought to improve the corn already popular in that area.  By selecting the earliest maturing ears with the deepest kernels, straightest rows and best filled tips, Mr. Clarridge developed a corn that missed the early Ohio frosts while producing the maximum yield possible.  Articles of the day state that in years of early frost, neighbors would "make a beaten path to the crib of the man who has sought to raise a sure corn" like Clarage.  And as one might guess, farmers soon beat a path to the seed dealer, eager to get their hands on some of that famous Clarage corn seed.

Clarage corn eventually became well-known throughout the country, with all sorts of variants marketed including Little Clarage, White Clarage, Rotten Clarage (there had apparently been a drouth of good copy writers) and of course the variety at hand, Blue Clarage.  All Clarage corns are noted for their ability to produce in clay soil, although they yield equally well here on black dirt.  Our Ohio Blue Clarage grows approximately 10 feet tall, producing two harvestable ears per stalk.  Plants mature approximately 100 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Zea mays

Ohio Blue Clarage is an heirloom variety of corn that produces large ears containing deep set, dark blue kernels.  Originating from Ohio, this historical corn variety was once very popular, with catalogs of the day claiming that livestock producers would pay a premium for its ears, which were reported to be preferred by cattle and of a higher feed value than the common yellow dents.  The kernels are initially white and contain a higher sugar content than most dent ... read more

read less

Zea mays

Ohio Blue Clarage is an heirloom variety of corn that produces large ears containing deep set, dark blue kernels.  Originating from Ohio, this historical corn variety was once very popular, with catalogs of the day claiming that livestock producers would pay a premium for its ears, which were reported to be preferred by cattle and of a higher feed value than the common yellow dents.  The kernels are initially white and contain a higher sugar content than most dent corns (which may explain why cattle love them.)  In the days before modern sweet corn, this characteristic led many farmers to market the immature ears for roasting.  Today, Blue Clarage corn is used primarily for grinding into colorful, blue-speckled grits and cornmeal, though it has also gained a following among craft distillers who value its ability to impart earthy and nutty flavors to whiskeys and bourbons.

As a class of open-pollinated dent corn, Clarage corn has a deep and surprisingly well-documented history that dates back to the late 1700s.  It was developed by Edwin Clarridge of Fayette County, Ohio who sought to improve the corn already popular in that area.  By selecting the earliest maturing ears with the deepest kernels, straightest rows and best filled tips, Mr. Clarridge developed a corn that missed the early Ohio frosts while producing the maximum yield possible.  Articles of the day state that in years of early frost, neighbors would "make a beaten path to the crib of the man who has sought to raise a sure corn" like Clarage.  And as one might guess, farmers soon beat a path to the seed dealer, eager to get their hands on some of that famous Clarage corn seed.

Clarage corn eventually became well-known throughout the country, with all sorts of variants marketed including Little Clarage, White Clarage, Rotten Clarage (there had apparently been a drouth of good copy writers) and of course the variety at hand, Blue Clarage.  All Clarage corns are noted for their ability to produce in clay soil, although they yield equally well here on black dirt.  Our Ohio Blue Clarage grows approximately 10 feet tall, producing two harvestable ears per stalk.  Plants mature approximately 100 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Bucket of heirloom beans
Bucket of heirloom beans

How to Grow Corn

Corn performs best in soil that is well-drained, but also able to hold onto some moisture, as corn tends to use quite a bit of water during its active growth phase.  Working in a healthy dose of well-composted manure in the fall will ensure that the rapidly growing plants receive adequate water and nutrition. 

After danger of frost has passed and soil temps have reached 55 degrees, sow seeds 9-12" apart, 1" deep, in rows 24-36" apart.  To maximize pollination use a paired row or square plot configuration.  Under ideal conditions, germination will occur in 7-10 days.

Not recommended

Insect Pests

Biological controls such as Bacillus thuringiensis can be effecting in controlling common corn pests like corn borer and earworm.  Aphids, Japanese beetles, and other hard-shelled insects can be controlled with a simple homemade insecticidal soap solution.

Diseases & Other Problems

Corn is susceptible to a number of plant diseases.  Consult your local extension office to learn which diseases are most prevalent in your region. Crop rotation, tillage, and removal of plant debris are all effective tools in managing common corn diseases.

Sweet corn is ready to harvest approximately 21 days after pollination. At peak, the kernel tips should be rounded and glossy. Shelling corn can be harvested once the husks have dried and the kernels have sufficiently hardened.  To test for maturity, pull back the husk and remove a kernel from the ear.  If the tip at the base of the kernel breaks off to reveal a brown "abscission" layer, the ears are ready to harvest.

CONSIDERATIONS:

To maintain genetic diversity, save seed from at least 50 to 100 plants.  If open-pollinated, plants should be isolated from other corn varieties by at least 1/4 mile.  Otherwise, hand-pollination can be performed.

HARVESTING SEED:

Wait until ears have reached full maturity and the kernels cannot be pierced by your fingernail. Peel back the husk and harvest the ear by pulling down and twisting. Place in a mesh bag or basket and allow to continue to dry for two weeks. Shell ears using a manual corn shelling tool or tightly grip a gloved hand around the ear and twist to separate the kernels from the cob. Winnow to remove any chaff and store in an airtight container until ready to use.

SEED LONGETIVITY:

Corn seeds will maintain 50% viability for three years when stored in a cool, dark place.

Hand pollinating corn

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

Search