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What Temperature Should the Ground Be to Plant Corn?
What Temperature Should the Ground Be to Plant Corn?. Planting corn at the proper soil temperature increases plant health and can increase yields. Measure soil temperature 2 inches below the surface of the ground. Planting corn as soon as the ground is warm enough gives the corn the longest possible growing season and the best possibility of...
Planting corn at the proper soil temperature increases plant health and can increase yields. Measure soil temperature 2 inches below the surface of the ground. Planting corn as soon as the ground is warm enough gives the corn the longest possible growing season and the best possibility of producing the desired yield.
Ideal Temperature
Soil temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher are necessary for successful corn seed germination. Temperatures of 55 degrees or higher will produce a faster germination and plant emergence, but the plant is starting later in the spring and may not be able to make up the lost time of the later planting.
Planting too Cold
Planting corn in soil below 50 degrees can lead to seed rot. The corn seed absorbs moisture, but will not begin to grow. This leads to decay of the seed which then dies and will not produce a plant. Planting the corn when soil-temperature trends indicate it will reach 50 degrees in a few days will generally produce a good stand of corn, but includes the inherent risk of unforeseen weather changes.
Uneven Temperatures
If the soil temperature varies across the garden or corn field, the germination and emergence of the corn will also vary. Seeds planted in warmer soils will start or grow faster than seeds planted in colder soil. This leads to an uneven stand of corn in the garden or field. Tall early corn plants shade the shorter later plants further stunting them. The early sprouting plants produce harvestable corn earlier than the other plants. This poses a problem in farm fields where mechanical equipment is used for harvest.
Soil Factors
The color of the soil and the field plays a part in the soil temperatures. The darker the soil, the warmer the soil. Field residue, commonly stems and leaves left over from previous year crops, shade the ground and limits the sunlight reaching the soil, thereby reducing the temperature. Planting the corn deeper places it in cooler soil while planting within 1 1/2 inch of the top of the soil is warmer, but more prone to dry conditions.
