Sorghum — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Sorghum bicolor |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 5–10 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 18.3–35 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 60–90 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 15.2–30.5 |
| Mature height (cm) | 121.9–365.8 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 30.5–61 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 5–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Drill or broadcast seed 1–1.5 inches deep in a wide range of soils including heavy clays and infertile ground; sorghum establishes a deep root system that loosens compacted subsoil and mines deeply-held nutrients. As a summer cover crop it suppresses weeds aggressively and builds organic matter; mow or disk before seed heads shatter to prevent volunteers. As a grain crop the seed heads can be harvested for bird feed, home brewing (sorghum is the base grain for many African and Asian fermented beverages), or ground into gluten-free flour. The juice squeezed from sweet sorghum stalks is boiled down to sorghum molasses, a traditional Southern sweetener. Beware allelopathic compounds released by sorghum residues — delay direct-seeding small-seeded crops for 3–4 weeks after incorporation.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0