Job's Tears Seeds - Cherokee Corn Beads

Minimum Seeds per Packet: 14

Packet Weight: 5g

Planting Season: After Last Frost

Sowing Method: Direct Seed or Transplant

Seed Depth: 1/2-1"

Direct Seed Spacing: 6"

Soil Temperature: 60-80 ℉

Days to Sprout: 7-21

Mature Spacing: 6-12"

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Frost Tolerance: Frost Sensitive

Days to Harvest: 110

When to Seed Job’s Tears

Job’s Tears can be direct-seeded into the garden after your last frost date. They can also be started indoors four to six weeks before your last frost and transplanted after all danger of frost has passed. Soaking seeds overnight ahead of planting may increase germination rates. It will germinate best in soils that are 65 degrees Fahrenheit. When deciding the best time to plant, be sure to check the days to harvest information. Job’s Tears typically requires a long season.

Where to Plant Job’s Tears

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining soil. Job’s Tears will have to be planted in a block to ensure consistent germination, rather than planting in rows like you would for other crops. You’ll have to grow at least a 3x3 block at minimum. Choose a spot where this planting method will be suitable. 

Growing Job’s Tears

Plant seeds ½ to one inch deep and six inches apart. Ensure that rows are at least 12 inches apart. As the seeds germinate and grow (typically once they reach four to six inches tall), they can be thinned to six to 12 inches. Once they’re about 12 inches tall, fertilize them with a high nitrogen fertilizer. 

Harvesting Job’s Tears

Job’s Tears can be harvested once the seeds have fully dried on the plant. If you try to press your thumbnail into it, it’ll be hard. This is how you know it’s fully dried. You’ll also want to keep in mind the days to harvest information found on the seed packet to have a general idea of when to start checking. They grow with a ready made hole down the middle that a gentle poke with a needle will make ready for beading!

Allow to dry on the plant as much as possible, harvesting the darkest beads as they begin to mature. In general, the darkest beads are the most viable. Lay out to dry for another two weeks before storing.