Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Ruby Queen in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 corn →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Ruby Queen · Zones 4–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
You'll want to prepare your Ruby Queen corn patch in full sun with soil that drains well—this variety is more forgiving of average soils than sweet corn, but standing water will doom your crop. Work in 2-3 inches of compost before planting, though Ruby Queen doesn't demand the rich feeding that sweet varieties need.
Wait until soil temperature reaches a consistent 60°F before direct sowing, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. Plant seeds 1-2 inches deep and 6 inches apart in blocks rather than single rows—corn is wind-pollinated and needs neighboring plants for full kernel development. Plant at least 4 rows of 10+ plants for proper pollination. Indoor starting isn't recommended since corn transplants poorly due to sensitive root systems.
Side-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer when plants reach knee-high, around 18 inches tall. Ruby Queen needs steady moisture during tasseling and silk development (roughly 60-80 days after planting), so maintain 1 inch of water weekly during this critical period. Mulch heavily around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Staking isn't necessary unless you're in an extremely windy location. The biggest mistake gardeners make is harvesting too early—Ruby Queen needs full maturation on the stalk for those deep ruby colors to develop. Resist the urge to check ears frequently, as this invites pest problems.
In northern zones (5-6), start as soon as soil warms since you need the full 100-110 days before first frost. Southern gardeners (zones 8-9) can plant a second crop in mid-summer for fall harvest. Install bird netting 2-3 weeks before expected harvest, as birds will strip ears once kernels begin changing color.
Harvesting
Ruby Queen requires patience—wait for full maturation rather than harvesting at the milk stage like sweet corn. Ears are ready when husks turn completely brown and papery, and kernels have developed their deep ruby-red color with a hard, dent-like appearance. The kernels should resist denting when pressed with your thumbnail.
For the deepest color development, allow ears to dry on the stalk for an additional 2-3 weeks after husks brown. Morning harvest is ideal when kernels are at their lowest moisture content. Twist ears downward and pull to remove from stalks, keeping husks attached initially to protect kernels during final drying.
If you want to try Ruby Queen fresh, harvest select ears at the milk stage when kernels are plump but still tender—these will be sweet but won't display the characteristic ruby color. Test by puncturing a kernel with your fingernail; milky juice indicates readiness for fresh eating.
Storage & Preservation
Store harvested Ruby Queen ears with husks on in a cool, dry location with good air circulation for final curing. Properly dried ears will keep for 6-12 months when stored in mesh bags or open containers away from moisture.
For ornamental use, remove husks after 1-2 weeks of drying and display ears in baskets or wreaths. The ruby kernels maintain their vibrant color for months when kept dry.
To preserve for culinary use, remove kernels from completely dried ears and store in airtight containers for up to 2 years. Grind small batches as needed since fresh-ground cornmeal has superior flavor. You can also freeze fresh kernels cut from young ears, though you'll lose the ornamental ruby color. The dried kernels can be ground into colorful cornmeal, used whole for hominy, or saved for planting next season.
History & Origin
Ruby Queen represents a classic Native American flint corn type, bred specifically for its striking deep red coloration and dual ornamental-culinary purpose. While the exact origins of this particular strain are unclear, red dent and flint corns have been cultivated by indigenous peoples of the Americas for over 1,000 years, particularly among tribes in the Southwest and Great Plains regions.
The variety gained popularity in American gardens during the colonial revival movement of the early 20th century, when gardeners sought heritage vegetables that combined beauty with function. Ruby Queen was developed through selection from traditional red corn varieties, chosen specifically for uniformity of kernel color and reliable ornamental quality.
Unlike many modern hybrid corns bred solely for yield, Ruby Queen maintains the hardy characteristics of its ancestral flint corn genetics—drought tolerance, pest resistance, and excellent storage qualities that made it invaluable to early American settlers and indigenous communities who depended on stored corn through winter months.
Advantages
- +Exceptional ornamental value with gem-like ruby-red kernels that maintain color for months
- +More drought tolerant than sweet corn varieties once established
- +Excellent natural disease resistance, rarely troubled by common corn ailments
- +Dual-purpose variety provides both decoration and unique red cornmeal
- +Hardy heirloom genetics make it easier to grow than finicky hybrid varieties
- +Long storage life when properly dried, keeping for 6-12 months
- +Can be harvested young for fresh eating or left to mature for grinding
Considerations
- -Requires full 100-110 day season, limiting growing zones for reliable harvest
- -Birds and squirrels aggressively target ears once kernels begin coloring
- -Must resist urge to harvest early, as premature picking prevents color development
- -Takes up significant garden space with block planting requirements for pollination
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Bush Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil, benefiting corn's heavy nitrogen needs
Pole Beans
Can climb corn stalks for support while fixing nitrogen
Winter Squash
Ground cover reduces weeds and retains soil moisture
Nasturtiums
Trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids
Marigolds
Repel corn earworms and other pest insects
Sunflowers
Attract beneficial insects and provide windbreak protection
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects that prey on corn pests
Cucumber
Benefits from corn's shade and doesn't compete for nutrients
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that inhibits corn growth
Tomatoes
Both are heavy feeders competing for same nutrients, attract similar pests
Brassicas
Stunted growth due to corn's allelopathic effects on cabbage family
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good natural resistance to most corn diseases, hardy variety
Common Pests
Birds, corn earworm, European corn borer, squirrels
Diseases
Common smut, northern corn leaf blight, rust