To investigate the effects of different sowing dates on the growth and yield of three summer maize varieties, an assay consisting of five consecutive sowing dates(T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 treatments were on May 8th, May 16th, May 24th, June 4th, June 14th, respectively) was conducted in 2018. The results showed that 1) growth durations were shortened 5 d, 5 d and 4 d for varieties Xiangnongyu 27, Zhengdan 958 and Linao 1 respectively under delayed sowing dates; 2) dry matter accumulation was higher under earlier sowing date than that of later sowing date; 3) T1 treatment showed the maximum, with 24 576.2 kg/hm2, 25 087.7 kg/hm2 and 26 367 kg/hm2 for Xiangnongyu 27, Linao 1 and Zhengdan 958 respectively. Leaf area indexes were gradually degressive with sowing dates delayed. Lodging and folding rates of T3, T4 and T5 were higher than those of T1 and T2. The lodging and folding rates from high to low were Xiangnongyu 27, Linao 1, Zhengdan 958. There was no significant difference for empty pole rate among sowing dates or varieties. From the highest to the lowest, the empty pole rates were Linao 1, Zhengdan 958 and Xiangnongyu 27. Among the three varieties, the T1 treatment had the highest yields, and their yields decreased over the delayed days of the sowing date. In summary, in the studied area, our study indicated the corn should be planted in the middle and early May.