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Herbs, Flowers & Specialty CropsBroom Corn Planting Calendar
Broom corn is a tall, warm-season sorghum grown for the long seed brush used in brooms and crafts. Its calendar follows warm soil, a long season and careful harvest and curing.
Key points
- Broom corn is a warm-season sorghum; plant after frost in warm soil.
- Use a soil thermometer and wait if soil is cold or wet.
- Control weeds early and check labels before using any herbicide.
- Harvest at full brush length and cure in a dry, shaded space.
What is broom corn and when does it grow?
Despite the name, broom corn is a type of sorghum, not corn. It is a warm-season annual that grows tall and produces a long brush of seed stalks. Because it is frost tender and needs heat, it follows the same general pattern as other warm-season grasses such as sorghum and corn.
Check your state extension service for any local guidance on broom corn or broom-type sorghum, since published information is limited and varies by region.
Broom corn crosses with other sorghums, so keep it away from forage or grain sorghum if you want to save seed that stays true. Ask your extension office what isolation distances apply.
When should you plant broom corn?
Plant after the last spring frost, when soil has warmed and is staying warm. Warm-season grasses germinate poorly in cold, wet soil. For field crops such as sorghum, the USDA NASS Usual Planting and Harvesting Dates publication gives typical planting windows by state, and it is a useful reference for the general season, though broom corn is not a standard NASS crop.
Use a soil thermometer in the morning at planting depth. For example, if your soil is still cool and nights are cold, wait another week or two. Check with extension for the soil temperature recommended for sorghum in your area.
If you are new to the crop, start with a small block and learn how plants behave in your soil and climate. Compare notes with other growers or craft groups, who may have variety suggestions and harvesting tips. Plan tools and labor for harvest, since cutting and handling tall plants takes time, and decide in advance where you will dry and sort the brush so that your harvest does not outpace your space.
How do you prepare the seedbed?
Prepare a firm, weed-free seedbed with good drainage. Take a soil test and follow local recommendations on fertility, since heavy nitrogen can encourage lodging in tall crops. Nutrient management rules vary by state. Choose a site with full sun and some wind shelter, since tall plants can blow over in storms.
How should you handle spacing and weed control?
Spacing affects brush quality and stalk height. Seed suppliers and extension publications for sorghum give row spacing and seeding information, so follow the guidance for your seed and area. Early weed control matters, because seedlings grow slowly at first and weeds can cause lasting setbacks.
If you use any herbicide, follow the label, because sorghum has specific herbicide restrictions and not every product can be used on a specialty crop. Ask your extension office.
- Cultivate or hoe early while plants are small.
- Mulch where practical in small plantings.
- Check the label for any product before use.
When is broom corn harvested?
Harvest is timed to the stage when the brush is full length and green to light in color, before the seeds mature and darken or shatter. Growers often bend or cut the stalks and then cut the brush. Seed removal, drying and curing follow soon after harvest. Local craft and broom-making groups, along with extension, can share experience on timing for your area.
If you make brooms or crafts to sell, check your state and local rules about sales and any labeling requirements, and keep records of costs and sales.
How do you cure and store the brush?
Cure brush in a dry, well-ventilated, shaded place so it dries evenly and keeps its color. Spread it in thin layers and check for mold. Store dry brush away from moisture and rodents. Because broom corn is a craft material rather than a food, food preservation rules do not apply, but keep it dry for quality.
A well-cured brush keeps its color and flexibility, while brush that is dried in damp conditions turns dull or moldy. Make drying space part of your calendar from the start.
What risks should you plan for?
Wind lodging, early frost in a cool season and wet harvest weather are the main risks. If you plant a larger area, talk to your crop insurance agent and the USDA Risk Management Agency about whether coverage is available for specialty crops in your county.
Finally, remember that information on this crop is thin compared with major grains. Lean on extension advice for sorghum, learn from craft growers, and treat your own notes as the main source for your calendar. Each season will make the next more predictable.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 2026. Educational information, ranges only. Confirm timing with your county extension office.