For farmers, this isn't just a theoretical question—it is the foundation of their livelihood. Planting wheat in the wrong season is a recipe for disaster.

It requires the cool temperatures and dry conditions of the Indian winter to produce high yields. Attempting to grow wheat during the Kharif (monsoon) season violates its biological need for vernalization (exposure to cold) and dry maturation.

The simple, direct answer is:

| Crop | Season | Sowing (India) | Harvesting (India) | Temperature Required | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Rabi | Oct - Dec | Mar - Apr | Cool (12°-25°C) | | Rice | Kharif | Jun - Jul | Sep - Oct | Hot & Humid (25°-35°C) | | Maize | Both | Jun-Jul (K) & Oct-Nov (R) | Sep-Oct & Jan-Feb | Wide range | | Mustard | Rabi | Sep - Oct | Feb - Mar | Cool | | Cotton | Kharif | May - Jun | Dec - Jan | Hot & Dry | | Bajra | Kharif | Jul - Aug | Oct - Nov | Hot & Dry | The Impact of Climate Change on Wheat (Rabi) Interestingly, the strict Rabi nature of wheat is becoming a challenge due to global warming. Scientists have noted "Terminal Heat Stress" —a phenomenon where the winter ends too early, and summer heat arrives in February/March instead of April.