Grain Sorghum planting in Tennessee.
Grain Sorghum planting in Tennessee is shaped by the state's 7a dominant hardiness zone, last frost date around April 10, and a 195-day growing season. Grain Sorghum is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Planting dates on this page are climatological estimates from USDA frost-date norms and zone-typical planting offsets. Verify against University of Tennessee Extension for variety- and county-specific guidance.
Planting calendar — 2026
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
Planting windows
Spring planting
Grain SorghumHarvest window
Harvest timing varies with planting date and seasonal weather — these dates are typical for the ideal planting window.
Growing notes
Grain Sorghum grows well in Tennessee's typical climate. Tennessee's 195-day growing season and 7a hardiness zone support reliable production with appropriate variety selection.
Grain Sorghum is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Agronomy reference
Growing-degree-day requirement: 2200 GDD (base 60°F) from planting to maturity.
Drought-tolerant warm-season grain. Often planted as a corn alternative in dry climates or as a dual-purpose food plot grain.
Common pests to watch
- Sorghum midge
- Sugarcane aphid
- Stink bugs
Pest pressure varies by region and year. Confirm current outbreaks with University of Tennessee Extension.
Common diseases
- Anthracnose
- Smut
- Charcoal rot
Resistance varieties shift each year. Check the current variety trial report for your state.
Variety selection
Grain Sorghum varieties for Tennessee live with your extension service.
Variety performance is micro-regional and changes with each year’s trial cycle. We don’t republish variety lists — instead, we point directly at the source.
Search the extension site for “grain sorghumvariety trial” or “recommended grain sorghum varieties” to find the current report.
Yield varies significantly by variety, soil, fertility, and management. Consult your state extension service for variety performance trials in your region.
Beyond the harvest
Grain Sorghum as a hunting food plot.
Grain sorghum (milo) is the iconic dove field crop. Plant timing for seed maturity 2-4 weeks before opening day for peak dove hunting attraction.
Grain Sorghum timing. Live alerts.
Bield: Farm ties weather and soil-temperature stations in your county to crop planting thresholds — get notified the day soil temp clears your target window.