Barley Planting Calendar

Barley is among the earliest crops to go in the ground. It likes a cool start and tends to finish before the worst summer heat.

Key points

Barley is planted early and prefers a cool start.
NASS usual dates vary from late March in Washington to late April in North Dakota.
Malting barley needs buyer guidance on variety and quality targets.
Do not plant into saturated soil just to hit a date.

Is barley a spring crop or a fall crop?

Both exist. Spring barley is sown early in the spring and harvested in mid to late summer. Fall barley, which is less common, is sown in autumn in milder regions such as parts of the mid-Atlantic and the South and harvested in early summer. NASS tracks both, and the largest barley states are in the northern Plains and the northwest.

If you are not sure which type fits, ask your state extension specialist. Fall barley is generally less winter hardy than winter wheat, so it is not a safe choice where winters are severe.

When is the usual spring barley planting window?

USDA NASS lists the most active spring barley planting period as about April 26 to May 25 in North Dakota, about April 13 to May 11 in Montana, about April 7 to May 5 in Idaho and about March 30 to May 5 in Washington. Those differences reflect when the ground thaws and dries in each place.

The 2010 edition is the latest in this series that I could find, so recent practice in your area may differ a bit. Ask a local extension agent whether earlier or later planting has become more common nearby.

Why does barley go in early?

Barley develops quickly and is sensitive to heat during grain fill. Planting early gives the crop more cool weather for tillering and a chance to mature before hot, dry spells. Malting barley adds another reason for care, because buyers set quality specifications for protein and plumpness that are influenced by weather and management.

If you grow for malting, talk to your buyer before you plant. Contracts often specify varieties, and the buyer may have guidance on timing and management that goes beyond general advice.

Early planting lengthens the cool-weather period
Heat during grain fill can hurt yield and quality
Check buyer specifications before planting malting barley

How do you judge whether the seedbed is ready?

Barley tolerates cool soil better than many crops, but it still needs a seedbed that is firm and not saturated. Squeeze a handful of soil. If it forms a smeared ribbon, it is too wet. If it crumbles, you are probably close. Planting into soggy soil can lead to compaction and poor stands, and one extra week of waiting is usually cheaper than a poor stand.

Look at the forecast as well. A hard freeze right after emergence is less of a worry for barley than for many crops, but follow local advice, especially if the crop is well advanced.

What should you plan for the rest of the season?

Think about weed control, disease scouting and harvest timing before the seed goes in. Many barley diseases are encouraged by wet, humid weather. Scouting guidance and treatment thresholds come from extension. Follow the label on every product, observe pre-harvest intervals, and check whether your state requires applicator licensing.

Barley often leaves the field in time for a follow-up crop or a cover crop in some regions. Ask extension about options that fit your area and soil moisture.

What should you know about barley varieties and end use?

Barley is grown for malting, for feed and, in smaller amounts, for food. Each use has different needs. Malting barley is usually grown under contract and judged on traits such as kernel plumpness and protein. Feed barley gives you more freedom on variety and management. Hulless types exist for specific markets, and they come with their own handling needs.

Because the end use shapes the variety, the planting date and the fertility plan, decide on the market before you order seed. Your local elevator, maltster or feed buyer can tell you what they accept. University variety trials in your state list results for the varieties that grow well locally, and many include notes on disease and lodging.

Pick the market before choosing the variety
Malting contracts can set variety and quality rules
Use state variety trials, not one-year claims

How do you handle fertility and lodging risk?

Barley can lodge, meaning the stems bend or fall, particularly on high-fertility soil or after a lot of nitrogen. Lodging makes harvest harder and can cut quality. Soil testing and local recommendations are the way to find the right fertility plan. Nutrient management rules vary by state, and some states restrict timing or placement of fertilizer and manure, so check what applies to you.

If your field follows a legume crop or has had manure, the nitrogen you need may be lower than you think. This is another reason to work with your extension office or a certified crop adviser, who can read your soil test and your field history together.

Timing at a glance

Timing ranges for this topic
Item	Window	Caveat
Spring barley, North Dakota	Most active planting from about April 26 to May 25	Usual dates describe typical field activity in that state, not a safe date for your farm. Check your own last frost date, soil temperature and your state extension guide.
Spring barley, Montana	Most active planting from about April 13 to May 11	Usual dates describe typical field activity in that state, not a safe date for your farm. Check your own last frost date, soil temperature and your state extension guide.
Spring barley, Idaho	Most active planting from about April 7 to May 5	Usual dates describe typical field activity in that state, not a safe date for your farm. Check your own last frost date, soil temperature and your state extension guide.
Spring barley, Washington	Most active planting from about March 30 to May 5	Usual dates describe typical field activity in that state, not a safe date for your farm. Check your own last frost date, soil temperature and your state extension guide.

When to get local help: Talk to your county extension office, a certified crop adviser or your malting buyer about variety and timing.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed: November 2026. Educational information, ranges only. Confirm timing with your county extension office.

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