noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
early sowing; early planting
Refers to sowing seeds earlier than usual or before the optimal time. Often contrasted with 遅まき (late sowing).
See also: 遅まき
今年は暖冬だったので、農家は早まきを試みた。
Because it was a mild winter this year, the farmers tried early sowing.
早まきの稲は霜の被害を受けやすい。
Early-sown rice is susceptible to frost damage.
遅まき means late sowing or planting, the opposite of 早まき. It can also be used figuratively to mean 'belated' or 'late start'.
Compound of 早 (haya, 'early') and 蒔き (maki, 'sowing'), the noun form of 蒔く (maku, 'to sow').