Choosing the best time of sowing in a particular region can often be difficult, as it is a decision that must strike a balance between sowing too early and enduring problems associated with cold weather or sowing too late and losing potential yield. This paper summarises a field experiment conducted at in Hillston during the 2002/03 season that explored the impact of sowing time and temperature on growth and development of cotton of two varieties (Sicala 40i and Siokra V-161) differing in their maturity and a Pima cotton variety (S-7). In this particular year the early and late sowing considerably reduced yield. Yield was reduced through a lower bon set and small boll size in the early sowing and poor ginout % in the late sowing. A sowing in late October maximised yield and allowed the crop to avoid the problems with cold temperatures, promote early vigour, and maximise season length thus allowing bolls and fibre to develop. The use of Sicala 40i an earlier maturing variety also improved yield by being able to set its bolls earlier and allow fibre to develop to more optimal conditions. Sicala 40i also offset the effects of the late sowing; highlighting the opportunity to use earlier varieties when sowing is delayed. Information collected from the study will contribute to an overall initiative in attempting to understand cotton&#39s response to temperature to further improve recommendations for all cotton growing regions