Astronomy Domine Corn was developed by master corn breeder Joseph Lofthouse in Paradise, Utah. It is a multi-colored sweet corn that is beautiful to look at and delicious to eat. in the words of the breeder himself “Promiscuously pollinated. Multi-colored. Mid-season (~65 to 75 days). Selected for colorful cobs at milk stage and for resistance to predation by birds and small mammals. It has that fabulous old-fashioned corn taste: Chewy and flavorful without being overly sweet. A robust landrace that is reliable and easy to grow. Developed for subsistence level growing conditions without cides or fertilizers. An excellent choice for tough growing conditions and for people wanting to save their own seeds or to develop their own variety of sweet corn. I consider this to be the best sweet corn I have to offer for an emergency survival stash. Descended primarily from Alan Bishop’s Astronomy Domine Sweet Corn which is descended from hundreds of varieties of heirloom and modern sweet corns. It has been in my garden for a long time, and has drifted significantly away from the original, so a new name seems appropriate. Very tolerant of cold spring soil.” — Joseph Lofthouse
The Astronomy Domine Corn is an Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) crop that states: “You have the freedom to use these OSSI-Pledged seeds in any way you choose. In return, you pledge not to restrict other’s use of these seeds or their derivatives by patents or other means, and to include this pledge with any transfer of these seeds or their derivatives.” For more details about Open Source Seed Initiative OSSI go to osseeds.org.
Maize/Corn was domesticated 10,000 years ago in Mexico by native peoples and was introduced to the European colonists by Native Americans and eventually brought back to Europe by Christopher Columbus. Today it is widespread globally and perhaps is the most relied on crop.
Corn and Maize are terms, both used to describe the same grain derived from grass that human populations in the Americas have cultivated over centuries that have lead to the favorite and versatile crop that we eat fresh or cooked. The word “Corn” is primarily used in American English, while “Maize” is used internationally as well as in scientific circles. Whatever you call it, Corn/Maize is perhaps the most important domesticated food crop in the world as it has been a primary food source that provides enough calories to allow populations to survive and expand.
To read more about the cultural importance of Maize follow the link below:
https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/people-corn
More plants?Come to the Garden of Eat’n and discover our 2021 varieties.