Planting Dates, Rates, and Methods of Agronomic Crops ¹

E. B. Whitty, D. L. Wright, and C. G. Chambliss²

Many factors affect the dates, rates, and methods of planting of Florida field crops. Some of these are climate and weather conditions; fertility, moisture-holding capacity, temperature, and moisture content of the soil; depth to the water table; size and germination of the seed; plant size and growth habit; growing season and water requirements of the crop; and the habits of insects, disease, and other pests. The recommendations presented in Table 1 and Table 2 are based on consideration of the factors listed above, and reflect, wherever possible, the results of research conducted under Florida conditions.

Planting dates given are for northwestern and northeastern Florida. Spring crops may be planted 1 to 2 weeks earlier in central Florida, and 2 to 3 weeks earlier in southern Florida. Fall crops may be planted late by comparable periods of time.

The recommended seeding rates and spacings are for each crop seeded alone, except the velvetbean recommendations for interplanting with corn. Seeding rates are based on good quality seed with germination of 80 percent or higher.

Tables

Table 1. Planting dates, seeding rates and row spacing for field and forage crops that are sexually propagated.

Crop	Planting Dates	Seeding Rates per acre		Row Spacings
Crop	Planting Dates	Broadcast (lb)	In Rows (lb)	Between (Ins.)	In Rows (Ins.)
Aeschynomene	Mar. 30 - Jun. 30	6 - 8 (dehulled)	---	---	---
Alfalfa ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	12 - 20	---	---	---
Alyceclover ²	Apr. 15 - Jun. 30	12 - 15	---	---	---
Bahiagrass, Argentine	Feb. 15 - Aug. 15 ¹	15- 20	---	---	---
Bahiagrass, Pensacola	Feb. 15 - Aug. 15 ¹	15 - 20	---	---	---
Beggarweed, Florida	Apr. 1 - Jun. 20	8 - 10	---	---	---
Bermudagrass	Feb. 15 - Jul. 31	8 - 10	---	---	---
Buffelgrass	Feb. 15 - Jul. 31 ¹	2 - 4	---	---	---
Bur-clover, Calif. ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	20 - 25	---	---	---
Bur-clover, spotted ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	12 - 15	---	---	---
Carpetgrass	Feb. 15 - Jul. 31 ¹	8 - 10	---	---	---
Chufa	Apr. 1 - Jun. 30	---	24 - 36	36 - 42	6 - 8
Clover, arrowleaf	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	8 - 10	---	---	---
Clover, berseem	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	16 - 20	---	---	---
Clover, crimson ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	20 - 26	---	---	---
Clover, hop, large ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	3 - 4	---	---	---
Clover, hop, small ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	6 - 8	---	---	---
Clover, Persian ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	6 - 8	---	---	---
Clover, red ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	12 - 15	---	---	---
Clover, rose	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	8 - 16	---	---	---
Clover, subterranean	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	18 - 22	---	---	---
Clover, white ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	3 - 4	---	---	---
Corn	Feb. 15 - Apr. 15	---	4 - 10	30 - 40	7 - 15
Cotton	Apr. 1 - Jun. 1	---	12 - 15	36 - 42	4 - 5
Cowpea	Apr. 1 - Jul. 31	---	60 - 90	24 - 30	1 - 2
Dallisgrass	Feb. 15 - Jul. 31 ¹	12 - 15	---	---	---
Desmodium, Fl. carpon	Mar. 30 - Jun. 30	3 - 5	---	---	---
Fescue, tall	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	16 - 20	---	---	---
Guineagrass	Mar. 1 - Jun. 30	4 - 6	---	---	---
Indigo, hairy ²	Apr. 1 - Jun. 30	6 - 8	---	---	---
Kenaf	Apr. 1 - May 15	---	6 - 8	36 - 38	2
Lespedeza, common ²	Feb. 15 - Mar. 31	12 - 15	---	---	---
Lespedeza, Kobe ²	Feb. 15 - Mar. 31	16 - 20	---	---	---
Lupine, blue	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	60 - 80	30 - 40	21 - 42	1 - 2
Lupine, yellow	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	40 - 60	20 - 30	21 - 42	1 - 2
Medic, black ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	12 - 15	---	---	---
Oats for forage	Sep. 15 - Oct. 31	96 - 128	---	---	---
Oats for grain	Nov. 15 - Dec. 15	64 - 80	---	---	---
Pea, Austrian winter	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	45 - 60	---	---	---
Peanuts, runner	Apr. 1 - Jun. 1	---	80 - 120	30 - 36	2 - 3
Peanuts, Spanish	Apr. 1 - May 15	---	60 - 100	24 - 30	2 - 3
Peanuts, Virginia	May 1 - Jun. 1	---	90 - 135	30 - 36	2 - 3
Millet, Browntop	Feb. 15 - Aug. 15	5 - 10	---	---	---
Millet, Japanese	Feb. 15 - Aug. 15	5 - 10	---	---	---
Millet, Pearl	Mar. 15 - Jun. 30	24 - 30	8 - 10	36 - 42	---
Phasey bean	Mar. 30 - Jun. 30	10 - 12	---	---	---
Pigeonpea	Apr. 1 - Jun. 15	20 - 25	5 - 6	36 - 38	4 - 5
Rescuegrass	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	24 - 30	---	---	---
Rhodesgrass	Feb. 15 - Jun. 15	8 - 10	---	---	---
Rice	Feb. 1 - May 31	80 - 100	---	---	---
Roughpea ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	30 - 40	---	---	---
Rye for forage	Oct. 15 - Nov. 15	84 - 112	---	---	---
Rye for grain	Dec. 1 - Dec. 31	56 - 84	---	---	---
Ryegrass, Italian	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	20 - 30	---	---	---
Sericea	Feb. 15 - Mar. 31	12 - 15	---	---	---
Sesbania	Apr. 1 - Jun. 30	25 - 30	---	---	---
Sorghum, grain	Apr. 1 - Jun. 30	10 - 15	6 - 8	20 - 36	2 - 3
Sorghum, silage	Apr. 1 - Jun. 30	10 - 15	6 - 8	20 - 36	3 - 4
Sorghum x sudangrass	Mar. 15 - Jun. 30	24 - 30	8 - 10	21 - 42	---
Sourclover ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	12 - 15	---	---	---
Soybean	May 15 - Jun. 15	60 - 90	40 - 65	30 - 36	1 - 2
Stylosanthes ²	Feb. 15 - Mar. 31	10 - 12	---	---	---
Sunflower	Feb. 15 - Aug. 10	---	6 - 8	36 - 38	6 - 8
Sweetclover ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	12 - 15	---	---	---
Tobacco (plant beds) ³	Dec. 20 - Jan. 15	.75 - 1.5	---	---	---
Tobacco (transplanted)	Mar. 10 - Apr. 10	---	---	42 - 48	16 - 24
Trefoil, big ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	2 - 4	---	---	---
Trefoil, birdsfoot ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	6 - 8	---	---	---
Triticale-forage	Oct. 15 - Nov. 15	84 - 112	---	---	---
Turnips	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	5 - 6	---	---	---
Velvetbean	Mar. 15 - Jun. 30	30 - 45	2 - 8	36 - 42	24 - 72
Vetch, common ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	40 - 50	---	---	---
Vetch, hairy ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	20 - 30	---	---	---
Vetch, monantha ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	30 - 40	---	---	---
Vetch, Woollypod ²	Oct. 1 - Nov. 15	30 - 40	---	---	---
Wheat for forage	Oct. 15 - Nov. 15	90 - 120	---	---	---
Wheat for grain	Nov. 15 - Dec. 15	60 - 90	---	---	---
¹ These grasses may be planted over a wide range of dates, but February and June are preferred dates under most conditions. ² These legumes may be seeded alone or on established sods of perennial grasses at rates given.

Table 2. Dates and methods of planting Florida field and forage crops that are propagated asexually.

Crop	Planting Dates and Methods
Bermudagrasses Digitgrasses Limpograss (Hemarthria) Stargrass	Plant between Jan. 15 and Mar. 15, or between Jun. 1 and Aug. 15. Use underground stems (rhizomes) and sod crowns. To obtain planting material use a commercial sprig digger; or use a plow or disk, and pitch forks. Plant 30 - 40 bu/A. To plant, use a commercial sprig planter; or broadcast sprigs onto the soil surface, cover with a disk and firm soil with a cultipacker or heavy land roller. Plant between Jun. 1 and Aug. 15. All these grasses can be planted from upright stems (green tops). Use mature grass (6+ weeks). To cut tops, use a mower similar to mower used for harvesting hay. Tops may be handled loose, or made into bales using conventional hay balers. Plant 1000 - 1500 lb/A green tops. Special machines for broadcasting tops are available. Uniformly scatter planting material over soil surface; cover immediately, using a finishing disk set at a slight angle. Firm the soil with a cultipacker or heavy land roller. Fertilize appropriately and control weeds.
Cassava	Plant between Feb. 15 and Mar. 31. Cut seed canes into pieces 4 - 8" in length; drop one piece every 3 - 4 ft. in the rows 3 - 4 ft. apart; and cover with about 4" of soil.
Kudzu	Plant between Feb. 1 and Mar. 15. Set crowns in upright position, 5 - 6 ft. apart, in rows 8 - 12 ft. apart. Crowns should be fleshy and well-developed, have a bud or growing point, and should be protected against wind, sunshine, and freezing from the time they are dug until they are set in the field.
Napiergrass	Plant between Feb. 15 and Jul. 31¹. Use stem cuttings or rootstocks. If stem cuttings are used, cut stalks into lengths with 3 to 4 nodes each, place in the ground in a slanting position, and cover, leaving 1 node exposed. If divided rootclumps are used, place in a furrow and cover with soil. Space plants 2 ft. apart, in rows 6 ft. apart.
Perennial Peanut	Plant between Jan. 15 and Mar. 15 or between June 15 and August 15. Use a commercial sprig digger to harvest rhizomes (underground stems). Plant 80+ bu/A. Plant rhizomes in a well-prepared seedbed, using a row-type commercial sprig planter. Pack soil after planting. Irrigate to insure successful establishment.
Ramie	Plant between Mar. 1 and Jun. 30. Plant rhizome cuttings, in rows spaced 4 ft. apart, with plants spaced about 1 ft. in the row.
Sugarcane	Plant between Sep. and Jan. A new crop of sugarcane can be planted following the final stubble crop harvest of the preceding crop, but fall plantings are the norm. Furrows on 5-foot centers should be opened to a depth of 6 - 8" and fertilizer and seed canes placed in the bottom of the furrow. Overlap seed canes by at least 50%. Between 3 and 4 tn/A of seed cane are usually required. Cut seed pieces in short lengths (about 24") to break apical dominance and get good alignment in the furrow. Cover with 4 - 5" of compact soil.
Tobacco	Transplant Mar. 10 to Apr. 10 in rows 42 - 48" apart. Space plants 16 - 24" apart in the row.
¹ In southern Florida, plantings may be made any time soil moisture conditions are favorable.

Footnotes

1. This document is SS-AGR-150, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First printed December 1992. Revised November 2008. Please visit the EDIS Web site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. E. B. Whitty, professor, Agronomy Department; D.L. Wright, professor, North Florida Research and Education Center-Quincy; and C. G. Chambliss, associate professor, Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer, Interim Dean.

Planting Dates, Rates, and Methods of Agronomic Crops 1

Tables

Footnotes

Planting Dates, Rates, and Methods of Agronomic Crops ¹