This blog post is for a Central California farmer growing corn for silage. While growing conditions may vary globally, many of the irrigation practices and tips shared here, especially around corn irrigation frequency, can be applied broadly. I use flood irrigation, and from experience, timing is everything once the corn is planted and heat rolls in.
A consistent irrigation schedule is essential. In Central California, temperatures during corn season swing from 80°F to 110°F (27°C to 43°C). That kind of heat demands precision. Irregular irrigation timing can lead to uneven growth, stress on plants, and reduced yields.
My Real-World Strategy for Corn Irrigation Frequency
- All my corn I plant in moisture.
- Half of the acres are single crop (planting starts in late March), and the other half are double crop—planted after chopping triticale and wheat for silage.
- I apply preplant fertilizer (10 nitrogen units) and focus heavily on planting in solid moisture.
- At 21–25 days post-planting, I cultivate and side-dress with 40 gallons of UN32 (approximately 120 nitrogen units), then prep for the first irrigation.
Once the initial irrigation starts, maintaining a strict irrigation frequency is critical.
My Rule: Corn Has a Memory
The second irrigation happens 12–14 days after the first. From there, I repeat that exact schedule—12 days means every 12 days going forward. I’ve learned that corn “learns” this rhythm. Deviating leads to visible stress in the field.
Additional Practical Irrigation Tips:
- Monitor soil moisture weekly with probes or manual checks.
- Aim for uniform water coverage in each set to prevent uneven maturity.
- Avoid overwatering; saturated soil can lead to root oxygen deprivation.
- In high heat (above 100°F), watch for leaf curling—it’s a sign you may need to irrigate sooner.
Management Corn Irrigation Frequency with AgNote
Managing irrigation efficiently is just as important as planting and fertilizing. With the high heat we deal with in Central California, a missed irrigation window can cost yield. That’s where AgNote shines—not just as a farm record-keeping tool, but as a powerful irrigation management assistant.
AgNote’s irrigation-focused strengths include:
- Irrigation Scheduling by Field – Set and track irrigation dates for each specific field and crop. Perfect for managing “same-day” irrigation frequencies.
- Historical Irrigation Logs – Review past irrigation events and adjust the plan if need to.
- Mobile Friendly – Access your irrigation schedule in the field, from your truck, or on the tractor.
- Double Crop Support – Keep irrigation records separate and accurate for your single- and double-cropped acres.
Whether you’re flood irrigating like I do or using drip or pivots, AgNote gives you the visibility and control to stay on schedule, save water, and reduce stress.
Try AgNote free for 7 days and see how easy it is to take your irrigation management to the next level—without adding more paperwork or confusion. AgNote is for practical farmers who want clear, simple, effective tools.
