How to Grow Painted Mountain
Zea mays
Painted Mountain is a warm-season heirloom corn variety prized for its reliable yield and vibrant appearance. Gardeners grow this easy-to-crop species to enjoy fresh ears or decorative stalks that thrive in full sun.
📷 Wikipedia: MaizeStarting Painted Mountain: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Painted Mountain is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors only after the last frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently for germination.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the ground is warm before sowing directly outdoors. Do not start indoors; corn does not transplant well. Plant seeds about one inch deep to ensure germination within seven to twelve days.
Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart in rows, as this variety grows tall and requires room for airflow. Provide consistent moisture throughout the growing season since high water needs are critical for kernel development. Apply mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and feed the plants regularly with a balanced fertilizer to support their rapid growth toward five to eight feet.
Watch for corn earworms, birds, raccoons, and squirrels; use netting or repellents to protect developing ears. Occasional rust may appear in humid conditions, so ensure good air circulation. Harvest the mature cobs approximately eighty-five days after sowing when kernels are fully formed and hardened.
When to Plant Painted Mountain
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | July – August | October – August |
| Zone 2 | — | June – August | October – September |
| Zone 3 | — | June – July | October |
| Zone 4 | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 6 | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 7 | — | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 8 | — | April – May | August – September |
| Zone 9 | — | March – April | July – August |
| Zone 10 | — | February – April | June – August |
| Zone 11 | — | January – March | May – June |
| Zone 12 | — | January – March | May – June |
| Zone 13 | — | January – March | May – June |
Companion Plants for Painted Mountain
✓ Good companions
Fixes nitrogen in soil for corn, part of traditional Three Sisters planting
Improves soil health, attracts pollinators, may deter hornworms
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control corn pests
Repels corn earworms, aphids, and other harmful insects
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters corn borers
Quick-growing ground cover, helps break up compacted soil
Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators, provides windbreak protection
Ground cover suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, completes Three Sisters guild
✗ Keep away from
Releases juglone toxin that severely stunts corn growth and development
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit corn germination and growth
Both are heavy nitrogen feeders creating competition, attract similar pests like hornworms
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
