You can pick through it and remove any broken kernels, moldy or those with holes in them. Be sure the corn is well dried. You can spread it on a cookie tray for a couple of days. Then place it in jars and freeze it for at least two days. I usually freeze it at least five days to be sure. This will kill weevil eggs which are inevitably lurking in your seed.

Once you have froze the seed and remove it from the freezer, be sure you do not open the jars until it has been completely warmed to room temperature. Let the jars set out, say four hours before you open them.

I've had some pretty ratty looking seed grow for me. But the larger, more filled out seed maintains viability longer.

Last I heard, for saving seed and maintaining a line of corn, one ought to save seed from at least 30 plants which were grown in a group of at least 200. I generally try for at least 200 plants and then take my seed sample from the entire "pool" of seed. I also like to plant from seed saved from at least two different growing seasons, as this effectively doubles the genetic base of the new crop. Hope this helps.

George
Tahlequah, OK

Thank you, George. That helps a ton. It was a wet year for us. Should I burn the corn stalks? They all have some type of mold.

I just compost them. But then, I haven't thought about possible pests. We also feed them to our goats, which probably isn't an option for you!

George

No goats. lol okay. I'll burn them either with fire or hot compost, then.