Soybeans Growing Guide

Crop Rotation Group

Legumes (Pea and Bean family) ●

Soil

Any average, well drained soil.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

No. Soybean is a warm-season crop to grow in summer.

Feeding

When using soybeans to improve very poor soil, mixing a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil before planting will give better results.

Spacing

Single Plants: 5" (15cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 5" (15cm) with 5" (15cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Plant seeds from late spring to early summer. Soybeans must have warm soil to germinate and grow. Poke holes into a cultivated bed or row to plant soybean seeds about 2 inches (5 cm) apart and one-half inch (1 cm) deep. Thin to 6 inches (15 cm) apart in all directions.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Soybean cover crops are used primarily to add nitrogen to poor soil.

Harvesting

Chop down or pull up plants just as they begin to flower. Nitrogen nodules left behind in the soil add fertility.

Troubleshooting

Soybeans are very attractive to deer and Japanese beetles.