Published: September 2, 2025
Updated: September 2, 2025
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As summer comes to an end and fall approaches, it’s time to start thinking about your fall planting decisions and everything you need to do now to prep for the next season.
While it might be tempting to approach fall as you always have with previous experiences in mind, you should be looking at specific data that can help you succeed in the fall and produce a solid harvest.
Here’s the data you should be gathering to prepare for your important fall planting decisions.
Soil Data
Your soil is the lifeblood of your farm, and a healthy soilbed produces healthy crops. Do you know the nutritional or pH levels of your soil?
Crops need certain nutrients to produce at their best, and important nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium play a crucial role. Test your soil now, and determine whether you need to take steps to improve your soil before your next planting.
You can also check your soil moisture levels and drainage patterns after big weather events. If your soil is retaining moisture well and draining as it should, no action is needed. But if you’re having trouble with overly wet soil, then it might be time to upgrade your drainage system.
Field Performance Records
Your current fields are telling a story that will shape next season's success. That’s why it’s important to look at detailed field performance records to make good decisions in the fall. Keep notes on pests and diseases you notice throughout the season, since these problems typically follow cycles. See which areas experience drought stress or other challenges. These areas might benefit from different crops or soil improvements.
Determine which areas responded well to herbicide treatment, and how effective it was at treating diseases. In places or on crops where herbicides did more damage than good, consider changing the type of herbicide, reducing the amount of treatment, or eliminating herbicides completely.
Economic Information
The economy is always in flux, and that can directly affect your farm’s profitability. Keep an eye on current and projected commodity prices for any crops you plan on planting in the fall. Also, check the prices on input costs for seed, fertilizer, and other chemicals.
If you’re worried about a potentially bad season, look into crop insurance options or adjust your coverage levels.
Weather and Climate Data
As with the economy, the weather and climate are changing as well. Storms are becoming more intense, and summers are becoming drier with periods of long droughts, which can greatly affect farmers’ crop yields.
Make sure to pay attention to yearly precipitation records and seasonal trends to see when is the best time to plant your fall crops. You can always check out long-range weather forecasts for fall and even next spring to get a better idea of the weather for the upcoming season. Finally, check historical freeze data and temperature patterns to try and predict how the fall will play out this season.
Specific Crop Considerations
Just like summer crops, certain fall crops perform better than others. Choosing the right varieties can make or break your fall planting profits, so it pays to do your homework on crop-specific details. Talk to your neighbors and check your local university trial data to see which varieties actually performed well in your area's soil and weather conditions.
Check seed availability and pricing for the varieties you want, because the good ones tend to sell out fast or get expensive when everyone's scrambling to buy.
If a crop doesn’t perform well in your area, then it’s not worth planting it just because you think you need to grow it this season. Listen to the data and plant accordingly.
Come to Koenig Equipment for Expert Help
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to fall planting, everyone could use a little extra help. That’s what Koenig Equipment is ready to offer, whether it’s new or used equipment to help you plant better or experts in farming who can tell you which crops will do well this fall, we’re here to help.
Visit Koenig Equipment at one of our many locations throughout Indiana and Ohio, and let us help you have a successful fall planting season.