- 1). Identify any area within 1 mile where corn is planted, as corn is pollinated by wind rather than insects, and other plantings within 1 mile have the potential to contaminate the corn variety that you are trying to grow, states the International Seed Saving Institute. At the very least, there must be 1,000 feet between the seed crop of golden queen corn and any other corn planting. If any other plantings are identified and you are uncertain of how far away it is from your intended planting area, use a pedometer and travel between the edge of the area intended for the golden queen corn seed crop and the other corn planting to ensure the required distance.
- 2). Plant the golden queen corn seeds in late spring, after the ground warms to 60 degrees F, and do not plant any other corn varieties within 1 mile of the golden queen planting to avoid accidental cross-pollination and contamination of the golden queen corn variety's taste and texture characteristics.
- 3). Soak the corn seeds overnight, and plant them the next day before they dry out.
- 4). Plant the golden queen corn seeds in a block rather than in long rows to aid cross-pollination within the golden queen isolated planting, according to the University of Tennessee Extension. Plant three seeds at a time, i.e., per hole, 10 to 15 inches apart, in rows 36 to 42 inches apart. Plant at least 300 seeds, or 100 three-seed plantings, of golden queen corn seed per block. Plant the seeds at a depth of 3/4 of an inch.
- 5). Thin the plants once they are 2 to 4 inches high by identifying the strongest seedling of each three-seed planting and cutting out the other two. There should be 100 plants left in the planting block when thinning is finished.
- 6). Fertilize with an edible-grade nitrogen fertilizer per manufacturer instructions. Once the seedlings reach 8 to 12 inches high, fertilize again with 1 1/2 lb. of ammonium nitrate per 100 feet of planted area.
- 7). Water throughout the growing season by soaking the top 8 to 12 inches of soil consistently throughout the planting area. Do not allow the soil to dry out, but water again when the soil has dried to moist.
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