Published Jul 06, 2024
Oats grow best in cold climates and are planted in spring or fall. Major producers include the EU, Canada, Australia, China, Brazil, and the USA, especially North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
Choose an oat variety for your zone. Oats need at least six hours of sun daily. They grow best at 68–70°F but need extra water in heat. Track temperature with EOSDA Crop Monitoring for timely weather updates.
Oats need lots of water and high humidity for good yields. Rainfall in summer is crucial. Dry soil harms seedlings, so irrigate during dry spells. Water plants at their base in the morning to protect them.
Oats grow in various soils but prefer good drainage and a pH of 6.0-7.0. Their deep roots extract nutrients well, making them less demanding. However, they thrive better in healthy, fertile soils.
Prepare soil in fall by disking and ridging. Plant oats in spring when the soil is at least 40°F. Sow at 80 lbs/acre, 6-inch rows, and 1.5-inch depth. Keep soil moist for better germination and growth.
Oats are great cover crops, quickly building biomass, suppressing weeds, and enriching soil. Sow seeds 3 inches apart in prepared soil. Increase row spacing to 8 inches when grown with other crops to protect soil and improve fertility.