Sorghum Planting Calendar

Sorghum is a heat-loving, drought-tolerant crop. It does best when it goes into warm soil and gets a long stretch of warm weather.

Key points

Sorghum needs warm soil and a late-frost-free start.
NASS windows range from March in southern Texas to mid June in Kansas.
Match hybrid maturity to your planting date and fall frost.
Plan weed control early because young sorghum competes poorly.

Why does sorghum need warm soil?

Sorghum is a warm-season grass related to corn, but it is less tolerant of cold soil during germination. Planting too early can lead to poor emergence and weak seedlings. Because of that, sorghum is typically planted later than corn in the same region, after the soil has clearly warmed and the chance of a late frost has passed.

Many extension programs give a soil temperature threshold for sorghum planting. Look for the number from your own state source and measure the soil yourself at seed depth for several mornings in a row. If the forecast shows a cold snap, wait.

When is the usual sorghum planting window?

USDA NASS lists the most active planting period for grain sorghum in the October 2010 edition as about May 15 to June 20 in Kansas, about May 16 to June 9 in Nebraska, about April 13 to May 23 in Arkansas and about March 11 to June 15 in Texas. The Texas range is wide because the state spans very different climates, from the Rio Grande Valley to the High Plains.

Planting dates in the northern part of the sorghum belt are later because the soil warms later. Even so, a late start has to leave room for the crop to mature before frost, which is why hybrid maturity matters.

Texas has a very wide window because of climate differences
Kansas and Nebraska planting happens later in May
Southern states can plant much earlier

How do you match hybrid maturity to planting date?

Sorghum hybrids are sold by maturity class, such as early, medium and full season. Full-season hybrids often yield more when planted at a good time, but a late planting date may call for an earlier class so the crop reaches maturity before your first fall frost.

For example, if you expect to plant in mid June because of a wet spring, ask your extension agronomist whether to switch to a shorter-season hybrid. The answer depends on your frost date, the growing degree days available and your local variety trials.

How should you think about moisture and drought?

Sorghum is known for handling dry weather better than corn, but it is not drought-proof. Good stand establishment depends on moisture at planting. Seed goes in shallow, so surface moisture matters. In dry regions, many growers plant into stored soil moisture after a good rain.

If you irrigate, follow local water rules and ask extension about scheduling logic for your area. Water use rules and reporting differ by state and district.

What should you plan for pests and weeds?

Early weed control matters because sorghum starts slowly and is a poor competitor for the first few weeks. Planning for pests also pays off. Insects such as headworms and aphids can show up in some regions, and birds can be a problem near maturity. Your extension entomologist can tell you what scouting methods and thresholds apply to your area.

Any pesticide use is governed by the label. Check pre-harvest intervals, applicator licensing rules for your state and pollinator protection instructions on each label.

What are common sorghum mistakes?

The most common is planting into cold soil in a rush to match the corn schedule. Another is using a hybrid that is too long for a late planting. A third is skipping a soil test and over-applying nitrogen, which can lodge the crop. Your state's nutrient management rules may apply.

Planting too early into cold soil
Choosing a hybrid too long for the planting date
Skipping soil test guidance for fertility

How can you use a worked example to set your own planting date?

Suppose your local extension guide says to wait for the soil to hold at its recommended minimum for several days, and your last spring frost usually falls in the second week of May. You check the soil each morning, and it reaches the number on May 12 but drops back after a cold rain. You would wait until it holds again, then plant, even if neighbors started a few days earlier. The point of the example is the method, not the date.

Write the decision down in your field notes with the soil reading and the forecast. Next year you will be able to compare what happened to what you expected. Sorghum rewards patience at planting, because a thin stand from cold soil is hard to repair, while a stand planted a week later into warm ground often catches up quickly.

Timing at a glance

Timing ranges for this topic
Item	Window	Caveat
Grain sorghum, Kansas	Most active planting from about May 15 to June 20	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.
Grain sorghum, Nebraska	Most active planting from about May 16 to June 9	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.
Grain sorghum, Arkansas	Most active planting from about April 13 to May 23	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.
Grain sorghum, Texas	Most active planting from about March 11 to June 15	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: Ask your county extension office or a certified crop adviser about hybrids, soil temperature and weed management for your area.

Sources and further reading

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

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