A look at planting corn in Texas Drive across the Lone Star State in the spring and you’ll see fields green with crops. Rows of seedlings emerge from the soil, soaking in moisture and basking in the sunlight. But there’s one that stands out from all the rest—corn. Easily the most recognizable crop in the state, corn starts as a seed and grows into 7 to 8 feet tall plants. It’s a crop that works well for many Texas farmers. Growing corn takes a combination of adequate rainfall, fertilizer and favorable temperatures to reach harvest. TEXAS NEIGHBORS | SPRING 2023 Oftentimes, the biggest obstacle is weather. Drought conditions stress the corn, but so can too much moisture. It’s a delicate balance that only Mother Nature can control. Corn planting can begin as early as January in the Rio Grande Valley and as late as June in the Panhandle. You know harvest season is approaching when the fields of green turn to gold. In a normal year, combines will start rolling through the fields in late July or early August and continue through October. In hot, dry years, harvest will start even earlier. Watch farmers plant corn in their fields. There are more than 4,200 uses for corn. Corn is one of the top three U.S. farm products. Total U.S. corn yield (tons per acre) has increased more than 360% since 1950. Texas corn farmers plant over 2 million acres each year. There are three di erent types of corn: field corn, sweet corn, and white/specialty corn .