Spring oats are planted in early spring and harvested in summer. The date of planting and harvesting depends on the climate of the area. Spring oats account for more than 85 percent of the U.S. oat crop. Winter oats are planted in fall and harvested the next summer. They start growing before the weather turns cold.
Growth stops in the winter and begins again in spring.
Winter oats are not as hardy as other winter grains, and so they are grown chiefly in areas with mild winters. Oats are planted either by simply scattering the seeds over the field or by sowing the seeds with a grain drill. This machine drops the seeds into furrows and covers them with soil. Oats are harvested after the plants become dry and yellow and the seeds harden. The grain should not contain more than 12 to 14 percent moisture when harvested.