As the start of summer approaches, the climate becomes increasingly suitable for summer planting of corn. But is it better to plant summer corn earlier? When is the best planting period? Let's find out.
When is the Best Time to Plant Summer Corn?
The ideal planting period for summer corn is from late May to early June. Planting during this time allows for harvesting around September to October. However, it's recommended for farmers to consider soil moisture conditions when determining the specific planting time.
How to Plant Summer Corn?
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Choose High-Quality Seeds: Select varieties that are adapted to local heat resources and have high yield potential. Choose mid-early maturing, high-yielding, and stable products with good resistance to density planting.
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Seed Treatment: Remove broken, insect-damaged, moldy, or other impurities to ensure seed quality. Treat uncoated seeds with a pesticide mixture. Use a suspension seed dressing agent containing 60% imidacloprid at a ratio of 1:200, mixed with 20% chlorantraniliprole 1000 times liquid, then air dry before sowing.
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Planting Methods:
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Direct Seeding: Plant at a row spacing of 60 cm or wide-narrow rows of 40 + 60 cm, with a seeding depth of 3-5 cm and a seeding rate of 3-3.5 kg per mu.
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Mechanical Planting: Use a corn precision seeder to accurately plant according to the required plant density, row spacing, and plant spacing in the field.
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Planting Density: For ordinary grain corn, the appropriate density for compact and high-yielding varieties is generally 4000-5000 plants per mu. Adjust seeding rates based on yield potential, with high-yield plots aiming for 4500-5000 plants per mu, and general plots aiming for 4000-4500 plants per mu. Planting can be done in rows spaced 60 cm apart for regular fields and using wider-narrower rows of 80 cm or 40 cm for high-yield fields.
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Timely Irrigation: In May and June, temperatures are often high, and soil moisture may be insufficient for corn germination. Therefore, if soil moisture is inadequate after planting, it's important to irrigate promptly to meet the water requirements for corn germination.
In conclusion, to achieve successful summer corn cultivation, planting operations must be performed meticulously. It's crucial to focus on quality, achieve precision seeding, ensure uniform plant spacing, consistent planting depth, and appropriate planting density, thereby maximizing yield and stability.
