Sunshine Sweet Corn

75 days — In 2004, we excitedly announced the re-introduction of this old classic, short-season, sweet corn variety that had disappeared from availability many years prior. We are always looking for interesting and rare varieties that were developed for a broad range of growing conditions. This offering is an example of this commitment.

'Sunshine' was developed at the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station by Albert F. Yeager to thrive in areas with shorter growing seasons. 'Sunshine' is the stabilized cross between Golden Bantam [1902, W. Atlee Burpee] and Gills Early Market [Gill Brother's. Seed Co., Portland, Oregon]. Originally released in 1927, this open-pollinated variety remained very popular, under several name variations, until seed companies began favoring the sale of more profitable, unstable, F1 hybrids. From what we could determine, 'Sunshine' was last available commercially in 1992.

Its stalks grow to about five to six feet in height with ears setting about one foot from the ground. It retains the good, old-time corn flavor of its Golden Bantam parentage but reaches roasting ear stage three to ten days earlier. The ears are six to eight inches long averaging twelve rows of golden yellow kernels.

It did great in our initial trials in Oregon and Tennessee, as well as in our seed production grow outs in subsequent years. We look forward to hearing how it does in your garden. Each 0.5 ounce is approximately 50 seeds.