Winter Wheat Planting Calendar
Complete winter wheat calendar from fall planting through summer harvest.
USDA zones: Zones 3-9
Month-by-month winter wheat schedule
- January — Dormancy: Check stand survival after cold snaps
- February — Top-dress: Apply early nitrogen as growth resumes
- March — Green-up: Scout for winter annual weeds, second N application
- April — Stem Extension: Apply fungicide at flag leaf if disease present
- May — Heading: Apply head scab fungicide at flowering if wet
- June — Grain Fill: Monitor for aphids and rust
- July — Harvest: Harvest at 13% moisture, test weight 60 lb/bu goal
- August — Post-harvest: Manage residue, plan cover crop or double-crop
- September — Field Prep: Soil test, apply P and K, prepare seedbed
- October — Planting: Plant after Hessian fly-free date for your area
- November — Establishment: Scout for stand establishment, check for heaving
- December — Dormancy: Wheat enters dormancy, minimal management
Tips for growing winter wheat
- Planting date is critical—too early invites disease, too late reduces tillering
- The Hessian fly-free date varies by region, check your county extension
- Split nitrogen applications (fall + spring) maximize efficiency
- Fungicide at flag leaf is the highest-ROI fungicide application in wheat