How long does rice take to grow?

Rice usually takes between 4 and 5 months to grow. It is planted in spring and harvested at the end of summer.

In order to prepare for planting, rice fields must be leveled, fertilized and furrowed. After preparing the ground, the field is flooded with 5 inches of water. In the case of large-scale growers like California Rice, the seeds are then soaked and dropped into the field from the air by plane. The seeds sink into the dirt and begin to grow.

When the rice reaches maturity, the fields are drained and the rice is harvested. After harvesting, the rice is dried and stored until it's ready to be milled.