Check Corn Planting Depth

Chad Lee, Grain Crops Extension, University of Kentucky

As producers rush to get corn planted, please remember to take time and check planter depth from field to field. The variability in soil moisture and soil type can affect the depth that seed is placed. Ideally, most corn seed should be planted around 1.5 inches deep. Corn seed depth should not exceed 2 inches and should not be less than 1 inch. Deeper plantings will delay emergence while shallow plantings may cause lodging problems later.

Everyone is under pressure to get as much corn in the soil as quickly as possible. However, taking just a few minutes to double-check seeding depth could alleviate a lot of problems later.