Wheat Planting Calendar: Winter vs. Spring

Winter wheat is sown in the fall and harvested the next summer. Spring wheat is sown after the ground thaws and harvested in late summer. Which one you grow depends on how cold your winters get.

Key points

Winter wheat is planted in fall and needs a cold period; spring wheat is planted after thaw.
USDA NASS shows winter wheat planting starting earlier in the north.
Plant early enough to establish, not so early that pests and disease get a head start.
Choose the type based on winter survival, rotation and workload.

What is the difference between winter wheat and spring wheat?

Winter wheat needs a cold period, called vernalization, before it will head out. It is planted in the fall, grows some before winter, goes dormant, and finishes in the following summer. Spring wheat does not need that cold period and is sown as soon as the ground can be worked.

Where winters are harsh enough to kill most winter wheat, such as much of the northern Plains, spring wheat is the standard choice. In the central and southern Plains and across much of the Corn Belt and the South, winter wheat dominates. Your state extension winter hardiness information is the best guide to which type fits your area.

When is the usual winter wheat planting window?

USDA NASS publishes usual dates by state. In the October 2010 edition, the most active winter wheat planting period is about September 15 to October 20 in Kansas, September 9 to October 2 in Nebraska, and about October 5 to October 29 in Illinois. Washington runs earlier, with most planting from about September 1 to October 10.

The pattern is clear: planting starts earlier in the north and later in the south. The goal is for the crop to establish enough before winter without getting so large that it is vulnerable, which your extension agronomist can explain for your area. In some states, extension also publishes a fly-free date or similar guidance, and planting before it can invite insect trouble.

Plant earlier in the north, later in the south
Very early planting can raise pest and disease risk
Very late planting can leave weak plants going into winter

When is spring wheat planted?

Spring wheat wants a cool start and an early finish before summer heat. NASS lists most active planting from about April 24 to May 25 in North Dakota, about April 14 to May 12 in Montana, and about April 23 to May 23 in Minnesota. Washington's window starts earlier, in late March.

Spring wheat planted late tends to meet hot weather during grain fill, so many growers try to plant as soon as the soil can be worked. But a very cold, wet seedbed is not a good trade for a few days of earliness. Check soil conditions, not just the date.

How do you decide between winter and spring wheat for your farm?

Start with winter survival. If your county regularly sees severe winter conditions without snow cover, ask extension whether winter wheat is a reasonable risk. Then look at your rotation. Winter wheat leaves the field in summer, which opens a window for fall tillage, cover crops or a following crop. Spring wheat occupies the field into late summer.

Also consider workload. Winter wheat spreads your work across fall and summer. Spring wheat piles it into spring and late summer. If you already have a crowded spring, a fall-sown crop may fit better. If you can sell into a spring wheat market that you like, that may point the other way. Talk to your local elevator about what they buy.

What are common wheat timing mistakes?

Planting winter wheat into dry soil and hoping for rain is a common one, as is planting right after a previous crop without checking for volunteer growth that can carry disease and pests. Another is ignoring local planting date guidance after a warm fall. A warm fall can tempt growers to plant late, but late seedlings may not tiller well.

For any fungicide or insecticide decision, follow extension recommendations and the label. Pre-harvest intervals exist for a reason, and applicator licensing rules vary by state.

How should residue and rotation affect planting day?

The crop before wheat matters. Wheat after soybeans leaves little residue and warms quickly, which can help establishment. Wheat after corn leaves heavy residue that can slow soil warming and tie up seed placement, so extension often suggests residue management or equipment adjustments in that case. Wheat following wheat can carry disease and pests, and many extension programs advise against it.

If you plan to use a cover crop or underseed a forage legume in wheat, talk to your extension forage specialist about timing so the two crops do not compete in the spring. Soil tests help you decide on lime and fertilizer, and your state's nutrient management rules apply.

Wheat after soybeans warms and plants easily
Heavy corn residue may call for equipment changes
Avoid wheat after wheat where disease risk is high

What does the weather do to a wheat planting plan?

Fall weather is hard to predict, and wheat can be planted into dry soil that never germinates the seed or into mud that ruins the seedbed. A good plan includes a window of days, not a single date, and a backup if conditions do not cooperate. If you are in a region with frequent fall drought, ask extension about moisture-conserving practices and what the local planting guidance says about planting into dry soil.

In spring wheat country, wet springs can push planting past the best window. Some growers accept a later start with an earlier variety, while others shift acres to another crop. This is a good place to talk to your insurance agent about final planting dates and any late-planting provisions, since those are set by program rules and can differ by county.

Timing at a glance

Timing ranges for this topic
Item	Window	Caveat
Winter wheat, Kansas	Most active planting from about September 15 to October 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.
Winter wheat, Nebraska	Most active planting from about September 9 to October 2	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 wheat, North Dakota	Most active planting from about April 24 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 wheat, Montana	Most active planting from about April 14 to May 12	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 agronomist about winter hardiness, fly-free dates and varieties 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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