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Field Crops, Grains & OilseedsField Crop Planting Calendar for the Southern U.S.
In the South the season is long, so the challenge is less about squeezing a crop in and more about matching each crop to soil warmth, rainfall and the weather risks of its growth stages.
Key points
- Southern planting plans vary widely by state and sub-region, so use your own state's guide.
- Corn is generally planted earlier than cotton, peanuts and soybeans.
- Soil temperature and moisture at seed depth matter more than a calendar date.
- Plan around heat, drought and tropical weather risks.
- Keep records field by field.
What shapes the Southern planting calendar?
The South spans coastal plains, the Delta, the Piedmont and parts of the Southern Plains, and each area has different soils, rainfall and frost dates. Early spring can be warm enough for corn in some areas while others still face frost. Summer heat, humidity and tropical weather shape pest pressure and harvest.
Use state extension services such as Texas A&M AgriLife, UGA, Clemson, Mississippi State, LSU AgCenter and others for crop-specific planting guides. Dates differ widely between Texas and the Carolinas.
Even within one state, the coast, the interior and the upland areas can differ by weeks in soil warming. Use the climate information from your nearest weather station rather than a statewide average. Rainfall in spring can be heavy, and fields that drain slowly may be planted later than neighbors on sandier ground.
Which crops go in first and which later?
Corn is typically planted early so it can silk before peak summer heat and drought. Cotton, peanuts and soybeans generally follow, once soils are warm, since they are more sensitive to cold. Rice systems have their own timing tied to water.
The order varies by state and farm, so confirm with your extension service. Many Southern farmers also use double cropping, such as soybeans after wheat.
Peanuts, in particular, are sensitive to cold, wet soils at planting, so check your extension peanut guide for soil temperature guidance before you start.
- Corn: early, with heat and drought risk in mind
- Cotton and peanuts: after soils warm
- Soybeans: wide range, depends on maturity group
- Rice: tied to water and field preparation
How do you read soil temperature and moisture?
Measure soil temperature at seed depth in the morning across several days. Warm-season crops such as cotton and peanuts can fail to emerge or suffer disease in cold, wet soils.
Check moisture too. A dry seedbed can leave seeds waiting for rain, and a heavy rain can crust soil. Your extension office can share the recommended soil temperature for each crop.
Cotton and peanuts are especially sensitive to cold snaps soon after planting, so look at the forecast for the week ahead and avoid planting just before a cold front.
How do heat and drought change the plan?
Matching critical growth stages with the part of the season that is least likely to be dry is a common planning idea. Corn's silking period, for example, is sensitive to heat and drought, so early planting or hybrid maturity choices aim to avoid it.
The U.S. Drought Monitor and your state climatologist give conditions in real time. Irrigation is covered by local water rules, so check yours before planning.
Heat can also affect pollination in corn and pod set in soybeans, which is why variety maturity and planting date are chosen together. Ask extension about local trials for your area. Hot nights during grain fill can also reduce corn yield, so some farmers shift planting dates or maturities to move sensitive stages away from the hottest weeks.
How should you think about tropical weather?
In Gulf and Atlantic areas, hurricane season overlaps the harvest of some crops. Plant maturity group and planting date can influence when a crop is ready relative to peak storm risk.
The National Weather Service provides forecasts and outlooks. Talk with your crop insurance agent and the USDA Risk Management Agency about coverage and reporting rules.
Keep an eye on the National Hurricane Center outlooks through the late summer, and have a plan for harvest equipment, labor and storage in case a storm shortens your window.
What does a double-crop system need?
A second crop after wheat or another early crop depends on harvest date, moisture and variety selection. Ask extension for local recommendations on planting dates and maturity groups for second crops.
Remember that more crops mean more nutrient removal and more field passes. Use soil tests and local recommendations.
Second crops are sometimes planted into stubble with no-till drills. Moisture at planting is often the deciding factor in the South, so check forecasts and soil moisture. Seed cost and availability of the right maturity group also limit second-crop choices, so order early.
What should you record?
Record planting date, soil temperature, variety, emergence date, weather events and yield for each field. Compare across years.
Records show how your own farm responds, which is more useful than a general guide.
Include a column for disease and insect pressure, since warm, humid conditions in the South can cause seasonal problems that tie back to planting date.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 2026. Educational information, ranges only. Confirm timing with your county extension office.