Painted Mountain
Zea mays 'Painted Mountain'
A stunning cold-hardy flour corn developed in Montana that produces ears with an incredible rainbow of kernel colors. This unique variety matures in just 90 days and can handle frost, making it perfect for northern climates and high altitudes. The colorful kernels can be ground into nutritious flour or used for beautiful autumn decorations.
Harvest
90-100d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
5-8 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Painted Mountain in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 corn →Zone Map
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Painted Mountain · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | June – July | October – 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 |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Color: Gold/Yellow. Type: Caryopsis. Length: > 3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Edibile
Storage & Preservation
After harvest, leave husks on and hang ears in a well-ventilated, dry location for 4-6 weeks until kernels are completely dry (15-20% moisture content). Test by removing a few kernels – they should be hard and difficult to dent with your fingernail.
Once fully dried, remove husks and store whole ears in breathable containers like mesh bags or cardboard boxes in a cool, dry place. Properly dried ears will keep for 2-3 years. For longer storage, remove kernels from cobs and freeze for 48 hours to kill any insect eggs, then store in airtight containers.
Grind kernels into flour using a grain mill or high-powered blender as needed – whole kernels store better than flour. For decorative use, spray dried ears with clear acrylic sealer to preserve colors and prevent insect damage.
History & Origin
Origin: Mexico
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut
- +Edible: Edibile
- +Fast-growing
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Sunflowers
Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators, provides windbreak protection
Marigolds
Repels corn earworms, aphids, and other harmful insects
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters corn borers
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control corn pests
Borage
Improves soil health, attracts pollinators, may deter hornworms
Radishes
Quick-growing ground cover, helps break up compacted soil
Black Beans
Fixes nitrogen in soil for corn, part of traditional Three Sisters planting
Winter Squash
Ground cover suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, completes Three Sisters guild
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that severely stunts corn growth and development
Tomatoes
Both are heavy nitrogen feeders creating competition, attract similar pests like hornworms
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit corn germination and growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168538)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent cold tolerance and good disease resistance overall
Common Pests
Corn earworm, birds, raccoons, squirrels
Diseases
Generally disease resistant, occasional rust in humid conditions