Planting Date of Maize in Nigeria (Know when to Plant Maize)
The planting date of maize in Nigeria is from March to late July depending on the forest zone your farm is located. Planting of maize can also be done as from August in the northern part of Nigeria.
For irrigation farmers, the planting date of maize can be anytime as their irrigation systems can assure them availability of water all year round.
Maize farming involves the usage of water, hence, your planting date must coincide with the rainy season or you should have irrigation in place.
Planting Date of Maize in Nigeria
The following are the planting dates of maize in Nigeria:
January
For maize farmers who choose January as their planting date, they must have irrigation in place as January is one of the driest months of the year.
February
This month is also one of the driest months in the year. Maize farmers who chose to plant in February must have irrigation in place.
March
Early March is usually dry. For maize farmers in the mangrove swamp and rain forest zones of Nigeria, maize can be planted as from late March, however, the weather forecast must be studied before the planting of maize is done.
April
Maize farmers in the mangrove swamp and rain forest zones of Nigeria can also start the process of planting maize as from April. Rain starts in April in the swampy and forested areas of Nigeria.
May
May is one of the planting dates of maize in Nigeria. The planting of maize can be done in the month of May for farmers in the mangrove swamp, rain forest and Guinean savannah zones of Nigeria.
June
The rain is always abundant in the month of June. Maize can be planted by farmers in June for those in the mangrove swamp, rain forest, Sudan Savannah, Sahel Savannah and Guinean savannah zones of Nigeria.
July
July is a rainy month. Maize can be planted by farmers in July for those in the mangrove swamp, rain forest, Sudan Savannah, Sahel Savannah and Guinean savannah zones of Nigeria.
August
For late maize farmers, August can be one of the planting dates for maize but care must be taken as the rain may cease in August in the rain forest zone of Nigeria.
September
The second cycle of the rainy season starts in September in the Mangrove Swamp and Rain Forest Zones of Nigeria. For late maize farmers, maize can be planted in the month of September.
October
It is advisable that maize farmers should only plant maize in the month of October if they have irrigation.
November
Maize should only be planted in November if irrigation is in place.
December
Maize should only be planted in December if irrigation is in place.
You should only choose the appropriate planting date if you want to grow maize in Nigeria.
