Corn Planting Time? April 13, 2021

Not Yet But Soon

Soil Temperature is a one of the best indicators of a soils readiness for corn planting. The Precision Feed Management/Nutrient Management Team will be monitoring soil temperatures weekly this spring, to help you be prepared for one of springs big events, corn planting. We will sample each week on Tuesday, look for future reports on Wednesday or Thursday each week.

Warm and dry conditions this spring have resulted in higher than average soil temperatures.  The chart below shows 2 inch soil temperature taken on April 13, 2021. Soil Temperatures averaged 62° on corn stubble and 56°on sod fields, much warmer than we would usually see this early in the season.

We recommend that you follow our reports and see how temperatures develop.  Cooler wetter conditions this weekend may well see soils get a little cooler next week.

The guideline for starting planting of field corn, once we reach late April, is a  minimum soil temperature consistently above 50° F.  If planting corn early, when temps are near 50° F, especially on less well drained ground, pay close attention to the weather forecast.  If a cold rain followed by cool temperature is forecast, delaying planting could be wise.    In this case, the seed can imbibe cold water but not experience warm enough temperatures for long enough to initiate or sustain root growth.  In this scenario, seed rot and inconsistent stands are more likely.   This is far less likely on well drained soils, as the soils will dry out and warm up faster.   Be more careful on soils that get wet and chilled and remain so for an extended period of time.

At this point it looks like a early planting season may be on the way.  Time to get the planter greased up, your supplies on hand and to be ready to go when the right day comes.

Delaware County Soil Temperatures, April 13, 2021