When To Plant Millet In Texas

If you’re planning to grow millet in Texas, timing is everything for a successful harvest. Knowing exactly when to plant millet in Texas is the first and most important step for any gardener or farmer.

This grass is a warm-season crop that thrives in heat, but planting too early or too late can lead to poor germination or weak plants. Texas’s vast size means climate zones vary widely, from the humid east to the arid west. Your local conditions will fine-tune your planting schedule.

This guide will walk you through the optimal windows across the state and give you the practical steps to get your millet crop off to a strong start.

The core planting season for millet in Texas runs from late spring through early summer. Soil temperature is your best indicator, not just the date on the calendar.

You should aim to plant when soil temperatures consistently reach at least 65°F to 70°F at planting depth. This usually happens after the last spring frost has passed and the soil has warmed up sufficiently.

Here’s a general regional breakdown:

North Texas & Panhandle: Late May to late June. Wait until the threat of a late frost is completely gone.
Central Texas & Hill Country: Mid-May to late June. This region often has a reliable window for a good stand.
South Texas & Coastal Plains: Early May to mid-June. The longer growing season here allows for earlier planting and even potential for a second, later crop in some years.
West Texas: Late May through June, heavily dependent on soil moisture. Planting just before a good rain forecast is key in drier areas.

Always check a long-range local weather forcast before you put seed in the ground. A cold, wet snap after planting can ruin your efforts.

Why Soil Temperature Matters More Than Date

Millet seed will simply rot in cool, damp soil. Planting into warm soil ensures rapid germination and vigorous seedling growth, which helps the crop outcompete weeds.

You can use a simple soil thermometer to check. Take readings at the 2-inch depth in the morning for several days in a row to get an average. Patience here pays off with a much better stand of plants.

Choosing Your Millet Variety

Selecting the right type of millet for your goal is crucial. The two main kinds grown in Texas are:

Pearl Millet: This is the most common type for forage, grazing, or wildlife plots. It’s tall, leafy, and produces a large seed head. It’s very drought-tolerant once established.
Foxtail Millet: Often used for hay, quick cover cropping, or birdseed. It matures faster than pearl millet and is good for areas with a shorter warm season.

Your local feed store or agricultural extension office can recomend varieties known to perform well in your specific county.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Once your timing is right, follow these steps for establishment:

Prepare the Seedbed: Work the soil to a fine, firm texture. Remove large clods and rocks. Millet doesn’t need a rich soil, but it does need good seed-to-soil contact.
Check Soil pH and Fertility: A simple soil test is wise. Millet prefers a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. It generally requires less nitrogen than other grains, but some starter fertilizer can boost early growth.
Plant at the Correct Depth: This is critical. Plant millet seed only ½ to 1 inch deep. It’s a small seed, and planting to deep will prevent it from reaching the surface.
Use the Right Seeding Rate: For broadcast seeding (scattering), use about 20-30 pounds per acre. For drilling in rows, 15-20 pounds per acre is typical. Check your seed bag for specific rates.
Ensure Good Moisture: Plant just before a good rain if possible, or irrigate lightly immediately after planting to trigger germination. Avoid saturating the field.

Post-Planting Care and Management

After planting, your job is to monitor and protect the young crop.

Weed Control: The first few weeks are vital. Millet seedlings are slow starters. If weeds become a problem, a light, careful mowing once the millet is about 12 inches tall can help it outcompete broadleaf weeds.
Watering: While drought-tolerant later, consistent moisture for the first 30 days is essential for root development. About 1 inch of water per week is a good target if rain is lacking.
Growth and Harvest: Millet grows rapidly in the heat. For forage, you can often take a first cutting or begin grazing in 45-60 days. For grain, allow the seed heads to mature and begin to dry on the stalk.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced gardeners can make errors with millet. Here’s what to watch out for:

Planting Too Early: The number one mistake. Cold soil equals failure.
Planting Too Deep: Never bury millet seed more than an inch deep.
Over-Fertilizing: Excess nitrogen, especially early on, can cause lodging (plants falling over).
Ignoring Birds: If you’re growing for grain, birds love millet. You may need to use scare tactics or netting as the seeds mature.

Using Millet in Your Texas Garden or Farm

Millet is incredibly versatile. Beyond a cash crop, home gardeners can use it for:

Wildlife Attraction: Excellent for dove, quail, and duck plots.
Summer Cover Crop: It grows fast, suppresses weeds, and adds organic matter to the soil.
Ornamental Use: Some varieties, like Japanese Millet, have attractive seed heads that add texture to flower arrangements.

FAQ: Your Millet Planting Questions Answered

What month do you plant millet in Texas?
Most of Texas plants millet in May or June. South Texas can start in late April, while North Texas should wait until late May or early June.

Can I plant millet in the fall in Texas?
In very South Texas, a late summer planting (early August) might mature before first frost. For most of the state, spring/summer is the only reliable planting window due to millet’s sensitivity to cold.

How late is to late to plant millet?
You need at least 60-70 frost-free days for most millet varieties to reach maturity. Count back from your area’s average first fall frost date to find your absolute latest planting date.

Does millet come back every year?
No, millet is an annual grass. It completes its life cycle in one season and will not return the following year from the same roots.

What is the best fertilizer for millet?
A balanced fertilizer based on a soil test is best. Millet often responds well to a little extra phosphorus at planting to encourage root growth. Avoid high nitrogen rates at seeding.

By following this guide and paying close attention to your local soil temperature and conditions, you can confidently time your millet planting for a thick, healthy, and productive crop. The key is letting the summer heat work for you, not against you, right from the start.