1. Before starting, read all planting instructions, planting tips, and maintenance.
2. Select flat areas with well-drained soils that hold some moisture. Avoid sandy soils, soils that are too moist, and hillsides that drain quickly. An ideal soil bed is well prepared, fertile, firm, and moist. Soybeans work best in light to heavy soil types.
3. Test and adjust soil pH to 6.2-6.5
i. If no soil test is available, add 2 tons of lime/acre for new food plots, or 1 ton/acre for established food plots that have been limed previously. Note* To speed things up skip to step #4 before applying lime while you are waiting for soil test to come back.
4. Check rules for your state and weed-kill if allowable and kill all weeds before planting this seed. Use herbicide weed control or tillage. Follow the directions for the weed-kill product you have purchased. Do not move to step 5 until you have waited at least 7 days after weed-kill has been applied.
5. Disc harrow or till thoroughly and then repeat after 5 days if needed. Do not over-till; doing so will result in loss of moisture. Note* Soybeans like to be planted deeper than most other seeds so leave plot ruff and drag after seed and fertilizer has been applied. Never plant seed deeper than 2”.
6. Add 200 #’s/acre of 10-20-20 or 5-20-20 or equivalent fertilizer. However, 5-20-20 is a better fertilizer for Soybeans. Fertilizer and seed should be done consecutive.
7. Before broadcasting seed, make sure light rain is in the near forecast. Soybeans require lots of rain to germinate.
a. For Soybeans, broadcast 58 lbs./acre. If drilling skip step #5 plus #7i. - #7ii. and use 48 lbs./acre.
i. After broadcasting seed, drag with an old box spring mattress, chain link fence, or ATV harrow drag. Soybeans like to be planted deeper than most other seeds (1”-2”). Then roll with either a heavy-roller, cultipacker, or drive ATV over seed to ensure better seed-to-soil contact for better germination. Rolling is preferred.
ii. Harrows or a Cultivator can also be used to incorporate seeds 1”-2” deep but caution should be used not to incorporate to deep or damage seed.
1. Lime requires time to change pH, add lime as early as possible.
2. Avoid hot weather; plant when rain is in the near forecast.
3. Plant Soybeans early in the spring when garden planting in your area begins, usually by early June, (Northern Planting Zone 4). Check your planting zone at www.morewildlife.net
4. Do Not Mow. Replant annually
5. Never plant Soybeans in the same spot more than 2-3 years in a row.
6. Soybeans must be fenced and electrified if not planting 2-3 acres. Pull fencing down late September, (Northern Planting Zone 4).
