Who Gets Kissed Sweet Corn, Wisconsin Bred, OP and NON-GMO

"Who Gets Kissed" is more than just a vegetable; it is a milestone in modern agricultural history. While most sweet corn on the market today is a hybrid (F1) that cannot be saved for seed, this variety was created to give power back to the grower.

Official Release: 2014
The variety was officially released in 2014 after years of collaborative breeding between organic farmer Martin Diffley, Dr. Bill Tracy of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Dr. John Navazio of the Organic Seed Alliance (OSA).

Historically, it was bred to solve a major problem for organic growers: most sweet corn requires warm soil and heavy chemicals to thrive. The breeders selected this variety specifically for cool-soil emergence (allowing for earlier planting) and natural resistance to common corn ailments. Its whimsical name is a nod to an old folk tradition at corn-shucking bees, where the person who found a "distinguished" ear (often a red one, though this is a bicolor) won the right to kiss whoever they chose.

• Open-Pollinated Freedom: Unlike hybrid corn, you can save the seeds from your "Who Gets Kissed" harvest to replant year after year.
• Superior Flavor: A "se" (sugar enhanced) type trait gives it a creamy, tender texture and a deep, old-fashioned sweetness.
• Cold Soil Tolerance: Engineered to sprout vigorously in the cool soils of early spring, making it a favorite for Northern gardeners.
• Naturally Hardy: Bred with high resistance to common rust and corn smut, thriving without the need for synthetic interventions.
• Striking Bicolor Appearance: Each 7-to-8-inch ear features a beautiful mosaic of yellow and white kernels.

1. Sowing the Seeds:
Corn is a heavy feeder and requires plenty of nitrogen and space.

• When: Direct sow outdoors when the soil temperature is at least 55–60°F. (While this variety is cold-tolerant, it still needs some warmth to thrive).
• Depth: Sow seeds 1 inch deep.
• The "Block" Method: Never plant corn in one or two long rows. To ensure proper wind pollination, plant in blocks of at least 4 rows.

2. The Perfect Location:
Choose a spot with Full Sun. Amend your soil heavily with compost or aged manure before planting. Corn requires consistent moisture, especially once the "tassels" appear and the ears begin to form.

3. Maintenance:

• Spacing: Thin seedlings to 8–12 inches apart, with 30 inches between rows.
• Isolation: To maintain the sweet flavor and pure genetics, do not plant "Who Gets Kissed" within 25 feet of popcorn, ornamental corn, or field corn, as they will cross-pollinate and turn the sweet kernels starchy.
• Hilling: As the stalks grow, pull some soil up around the base (hilling) to provide extra stability against summer winds.

This corn is best enjoyed within hours of harvest! Steam it for 5 minutes and serve with salted butter and a dash of smoked paprika. Because it is an "se" type, it stays tender and sweet for several days in the refrigerator, making it excellent for fresh corn salsas or freezing for winter chowders.

Garden Tip: If you are a seed saver, "Who Gets Kissed" is the holy grail. By saving the seeds from your best ears, you are continuing a legacy of organic resilience that started with the 2014 release! 🌽👐❤️