How to Plant Winter Oats

Winter oats typically planted in the southern regions of the United States are beginning to make inroads to the northern areas of the country. If temperatures continually fall below 20 degrees F, the crop can be permanently damaged and fail to mature in ample time for harvest.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Roto tiller or tractor and cultivator
• Oat seed
• Soil test
• Fertilizer

1. Prepare the soil, preferably a clay loam type of soil rather than a sandy loam that may dry out too quickly. Use a roto tiller for small areas, or a tractor and cultivator for large acreages. Cultivate the soil approximately two weeks before sowing the seeds.

2. Select the proper oat seeds for your climate conditions. The extension service can help you select the proper seed variety for your area, and help you determine the proper time to begin seeding your winter oats; every area is different.

3. Spread seeds on the cultivated soil at the rate prescribed by the seed vendor. Typically, this will be in the area of 120 lb. per acre of land. Have the extension service do a soil test so you can fertilize for best results.

4. Wait for 90 to 110 days, depending on the seed variety.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not plant oat crops in extremely sandy soils.

References

• Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening; J.L. Rodale; 1975
• Winter Oats

Resources

• USDA Extension Service