Which month is better for planting corn in the South?

Corn is a common food crop with very high demand, and it is grown in many areas in the south. When it comes to corn planting, many people are not sure which month is the best for planting corn in the south? Let’s learn more about it below.

Which month is better for planting corn in the South?

Corn can be planted for two seasons in the south. Spring corn in the Yangtze River Basin is usually planted in late March or early April and can be harvested in mid-to-early July. Some areas in South China also planted early corn in February. In Hunan Province, spring corn is generally planted in mid-to-early April and harvested in mid-to-early August. Summer corn is sown from late May to early June and harvested in mid-to-late September.

What factors should be considered when planting corn?

1. Temperature

Climate is an important factor in determining corn planting time. Corn needs to grow at a suitable temperature. Generally speaking, corn seeds germinate vigorously at 16-21℃, and the optimal temperature for germination is 28-35℃. Therefore, the temperature must be stable at above 10℃ when sowing.

2. Humidity

When planting corn, the soil moisture in the plow layer is required to reach 60% to 70% of the field water holding capacity. Generally speaking, if the soil in the plow layer can be held in the hand and can be clumped into a ball, and then falls to the ground and becomes loose, then the soil moisture content is around 60% to 70%, which is suitable for sowing. If the soil cannot form a ball when held in your hand, then the water content is low and it is not suitable for sowing. You need to irrigate or wait for rain before sowing. If the soil clumps together when you hold it in your hand, but does not fall apart when it falls to the ground naturally, then the soil moisture content is too high, which affects seedling germination.

3. Varieties

Different corn varieties have different growth cycles and adaptability, and the sowing time needs to be determined according to the specific variety. Generally speaking, early-maturing varieties can be sown when the temperature is stably above 10℃, while late-maturing varieties need to be sown when the temperature is stably above 12℃.

4. Production system

Due to the vast territory of our country, corn production systems vary greatly. There is not only summer corn, but also spring corn, autumn corn and winter corn. Therefore, the planting time of corn varies depending on the production method.

That’s it