Cotton Planting Conditions for Southeast, VA

Last Updated: 5-29-2026 @ 4:48 AM | By: Danny Parker

Capron Forecast

Suffolk Forecast

Smithfield Forecast

Wakefield Forecast

Weather Summary: Over the next 5 days across the region, high temperatures will range from 74° to 82°, with overnight lows dipping between 54° and 64°. No significant rainfall is expected. Seed emergence is projected to take between 5 and 7 days based on heat accumulation. Overall planting conditions are currently rated as primarily very good.
 

Johnny's Observations: (5-22-2026 7:30 am)

Moisture improvement begins in much of our region with heavier rains possible beginning Sunday into early next week.
3195, 2115, 2414, 2211, and 360 are examples of early options for planting in the second half of May. Early, fast maturing varieties do not carry any yield penalties for planting in late May.

See online news letter for full 2026 planting strategies.

Recommendation highlights:

Plant light land later - The goal is to not have blooms on light soil *until mid or late July. Light land stresses easier and when we get a boll set in July on those long hot days when dry, then light land will shuck off more fruit.

Planting high seeding rates - The cost increases $2.70 per thousand seeds. Thick stands are more difficult to manage the growth, are more attractive to insects; don't use high seeding rates to compensate for poor weather. Cotton compensates well for low population. Low seeding rate is not desirable in cool conditions, on wet ground, or on crusty ground with packing rain potential.

THE BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR LOWER SEEDING RATES IS WITH GOOD TO EXCELLENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, soil moisture, and a well-tuned planter. 35-40K is a reasonable target. Standard depth is 3/4". Stay shallow on crusting land but you can chase moisture on light land up to an inch deep or 1.25" with no rain in sight as long as it is in moisture. Don't plant deep in dry dirt, just "dust it in" shallow if you cannot find moisture comfortably.