Timely sowing is critical for maximizing yield for both grain and biomass in maize.The effects of early (mid-March), normal (mid-April), and late (mid-May) sowing date (SD) werestudied over a three-year period in irrigated maize under Mediterranean conditions. Early SDincreased the number of days from sowing to plant emergence. Late SD reduced the number of daysto plant maturity, and had higher forage yields, higher grain humidity, and taller plants. The averagegrain and forage yields achieved were 13.2 and 21.3 Mg ha−1; 14.0 and 25.1 Mg ha−1; and 12.8 and27.6 Mg ha−1, for crops with early, normal, and late SD, respectively. The data support the generalperception of farmers that April sowings are the most appropriate in the area where the experimentswere carried out. Early SD resulted in lower population densities, while later SD did not yield(grain) as high. However, late SD produced taller plants that contributed to achieve higher forageyields. Late SD could be interesting for double annual forage cropping systems. Sowing at the mostappropriate time, when the soil is warm, ensures a good level of maize grain production. Futureresearch could focus in the effect of SD for total annual yields in double-annual cropping systems.