When to Grow Wheat in Texas: Smart Planting Dates for Top Yields

To grow wheat in Texas, farmers usually plant winter wheat from early September through late November, although the exact planting window depends on the region and whether the crop is meant for grain, grazing, or both. This guide covers planting windows by zone, soil checks, variety picks, and harvest timing so you can match your field to the right schedule.

Plant winter wheat in Texas between September 1 and November 15. The High Plains and Panhandle sow first (Sept 1–Oct 15), the Rolling Plains and North Texas follow (Sept 20–Nov 1), and Central/South Texas plant last (Oct 15–Nov 30). Graze-out wheat goes in 2 to 4 weeks earlier than grain-only wheat.

For a broader look at national schedules, I wrote the basics in my guide on planting dates for winter wheat across regions.

What Type of Wheat Grows in Texas?

Texas grows mostly hard red winter wheat. The crop needs a cold period (vernalization) to head out and produce grain. Farmers also plant it for cattle forage, which is called graze-out or dual-purpose wheat.

Hard red winter wheat handles Texas heat, dry soils, and short winters. Spring wheat rarely fits the state because summers turn hot too fast. If you want spring types, I explained the trade-offs in my piece on spring wheat planting windows.

When to Plant Winter Wheat in Texas by Region

Planting dates follow latitude and elevation. Cooler northern zones start first. Warmer southern zones start last.

Texas High Plains and Panhandle

Plant grain wheat from September 20 to October 20. Plant graze-out wheat from September 1 to September 25 to build forage before frost. Soil temperature at 2 inches should sit near 54°F to 77°F for steady germination.

Rolling Plains and North Texas

Plant from October 1 to November 1 for grain. Graze-out fields go in around September 15 to October 10. The Rolling Plains covers counties like Wichita, Baylor, and Knox.

Central Texas (Blacklands)

Plant from October 15 to November 15. Blackland clay soils hold moisture well but crust after rain, so drill depth matters.

South Texas

Plant from November 1 to November 30. Warm falls push planting later to avoid early joint stage damage from unusual cold snaps.

Where Does Wheat Grow Best in Texas?

Texas wheat grows best in the High Plains, Rolling Plains, Blacklands, and parts of South Texas. The state usually plants around 5 to 6 million acres of wheat per year, according to USDA NASS reports. Hale, Deaf Smith, Parmer, and Wichita counties rank among the top producers.

Good wheat ground has:

• Well-drained loam or clay loam soil
• Soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5
• Full sun exposure
• Access to 18 to 25 inches of annual rainfall or supplemental irrigation

How to Plant Wheat in Texas: Step-by-Step

Follow this workflow to put wheat in the ground the right way.

1. Test the soil. Pull samples 2 to 3 months before planting. Check pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. A basic soil check is covered in my walkthrough on soil testing before planting.

2. Pick the right variety. Choose a variety rated for your region by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. TAM 114, TAM 205, and WB4515 fit many Texas fields. Match variety to grain-only or dual-purpose use.

3. Prepare the seedbed. Till or run a no-till drill through residue. Firm soil holds moisture and gives even seed depth.

4. Set seeding rate. Drill 60 to 90 pounds per acre for grain. Raise to 90 to 120 pounds per acre for graze-out or dual-purpose fields.

5. Plant at the right depth. Place seed 1 to 1.5 inches deep in moist soil. In dry years, chase moisture down to 2 inches maximum.

6. Apply starter fertilizer. Most Texas wheat needs 40 to 60 pounds of nitrogen per acre at planting, with more added at green-up. Base rates on your soil test.

7. Watch emergence. Seedlings should appear in 5 to 10 days if soil moisture holds.

When to Harvest Wheat in Texas

Texas wheat harvest runs from late May through early July. South Texas cuts first, followed by Central Texas in early June, then the Rolling Plains and High Plains in mid-June through July. Grain moisture at harvest should read 13.5% or lower for safe storage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Planting too early. Early wheat in warm soil attracts Hessian fly, armyworms, and wheat curl mite.
• Planting too late. Late wheat enters winter with weak roots and yields less grain.
• Skipping soil tests. Guessing on fertilizer wastes money and cuts yield.
• Seeding too deep. Seeds below 2 inches struggle to emerge in clay soils.
• Grazing past the first hollow stem stage. Cattle left on dual-purpose wheat after jointing cut grain yield sharply.

Troubleshooting Poor Stands

Patchy emergence? Check soil moisture and drill depth. Dry soil delays germination for weeks.

Yellow seedlings? Likely nitrogen shortage or wet feet. Side-dress nitrogen at green-up and improve drainage.

Thin fall growth? Planting may have been too late. Add nitrogen in February to push spring tillering.

Rust or mildew showing? Scout fields at jointing and apply a labeled fungicide if the threshold hits.

Safety Notes for Wheat Planting

Handle treated seed with gloves and a dust mask. Fungicide and insecticide seed coatings are toxic if swallowed or inhaled. Keep bins, trucks, and drills away from livestock feed areas. Store pesticides in a locked, ventilated shed and follow label rates without rounding up.

FAQs About Growing Wheat in Texas

Conclusion

Texas wheat fits a fall planting window that starts in the Panhandle in early September and ends in South Texas by late November. Match your planting date to your region, soil moisture, and whether you want grain, grazing, or both. Test your soil, pick a proven variety, drill at the right depth, and scout through winter. A well-timed wheat crop in Texas rewards steady work with a solid harvest the next summer.