This year I grew some broom corn with the plan to make a broom, of course.  The corn is fun to watch it grow- it starts out slow, but once it get a few feet tall and the weather heats up, it seemed to grow several inches a day. The tallest stalks were about 8 feet tall!

They were a great backdrop to the flower garden, along with the joe pye weed.

Broom Corn in the field just starting to tassel.

Broom Corn in the field just starting to tassel.

Broom Corn set out to dry.

Broom Corn set out to dry.

Now, I have to remove all the seeds from the corn tassels, that is not an easy job.  I have tried a knife- takes the tassels with it. I have tried beating it- that's pretty intensive work and spreads the seeds everywhere.  Now, I am going to try a rolling pin to crush them.  We will see what happens.  I just want to make an decorative broom!

I love that there are several different shades of reds and browns in the broom corn seeds.

Tall Corn with Joe Pye weed in front

Tall Corn with Joe Pye weed in front