Cotton Planting

Growers in areas with a short production season may want maximize the growing season by planting cotton as early as possible. Producers should plant according to soil temperature, not the calendar. If planted too early, a crop may suffer stand loss and cold temperature stress, which reduce yield potential. On the other hand, planting too late produces larger plants that are more vegetative and difficult to manage and are exposed to more late season risks. The optimum soil temperature for cotton planting is 65 degrees F at seeding depth at 8 a.m. for 3 consecutive days, with a favorable 5 day weather forecast. Temperatures of 60 degrees F are acceptable with a favorable forecast. However, planting in soils cooler than 55 degrees F will cause poor seedling vigor and seedling disease problems. It Also, consider delaying planting when the 5-day forecast predicts the accumulation of less than 25 heat units (DD 60s).