Egyptian wheat (Sorghum bicolor) is a warm-season annual grass that requires specific conditions for successful establishment. This tall-growing plant is sensitive to cool temperatures, making planting timing a direct factor in yield and stand health. Establishing the crop at the correct moment is necessary for maximizing its growth potential and ensuring it matures before the first harsh conditions of autumn.
Determining the Optimal Planting Window
The optimal calendar window for planting Egyptian wheat generally spans from late Spring into early Summer. Growers should wait until the threat of the final hard frost has completely passed, as seedlings are tender and vulnerable to cold shock. Planting too early, even a few weeks ahead of ideal conditions, can result in delayed and uneven emergence of the stand.
Delayed emergence increases susceptibility to pests and diseases and can impact overall development, potentially delaying the flowering stage. The goal is to time planting so the reproductive stage avoids the hottest, driest periods of mid-summer, which can severely reduce grain fill and yield potential. In many regions, this translates to a target planting period between mid-May and the end of June.
Essential Soil Requirements and Preparation
While calendar dates offer a general guide, the physical condition of the soil is a more reliable trigger for planting. The single most important factor is the soil temperature, which must be consistently warm for successful germination. Agronomists recommend planting only when the minimum daily soil temperature has reached 60°F (15.5°C) and is trending upward.
Many experts suggest waiting until the temperature reaches 65°F or even 70°F (18°C–21°C) at the planting depth for rapid and dependable emergence. This temperature should be measured at the target planting depth, usually between 0.5 and 1.5 inches. Planting deeper than 1.5 inches can hinder stand establishment, especially in cool, wet soils. The seedbed should also be firm and weed-free, as the crop has weaker seedling vigor and limited herbicide options for post-emergence weed control.
Managing Planting for Different Climate Zones
The broad planting window must be adjusted based on the local climate and growing season length. In the Deep South, where the last frost occurs earlier, planting can begin in mid-April to early May, allowing for a longer growing season and taller stalks. This earlier timing helps the crop flower before the most intense heat and humidity arrive. Conversely, in northern climates with shorter growing seasons, planting must be delayed until late May or early June to meet the required soil temperature threshold.
When planting later, growers often select shorter-season hybrid varieties of sorghum to ensure the grain matures before the inevitable killing frost in the autumn. This allows the plant enough time to reach physiological maturity, identified by the formation of a “black layer” on the seed.
Egyptian wheat is a flexible crop often used in double-cropping or succession planting strategies. Following a harvest of a small grain like wheat, it can be planted into the stubble in mid-to-late summer. While these later plantings often result in lower yields, they allow farmers to maximize the use of the land, provided a hybrid with a short maturity window is chosen.