Dry Bean Seeding Tips


  • Plant dry beans from late May to early June, once soils have warmed to 15°C.
  • Plant at a depth of 1 – 1.5”, placing seeds into moisture.
  • Dry beans can successfully be planted in narrow (<15”) or wide rows (>15”), with black, navy and pinto bean types typically being better suited to narrow-row production. Research has indicated a yield advantage to planting these bean types in narrow rows.
  • Target plant populations vary with market class, seed size and, in some cases, row width.
  • Dry beans are susceptible to damage from seed handling – whether you’re cleaning seed, treating seed, or running it through equipment. 
  • Soak tests reveal if the seed coat has been cracked or damaged, and you can use them as a tool to adjust your seeding rates before planting.
  • Weed management can be a challenge since dry beans are poor competitors with limited in-crop herbicide options. Start by choosing to plant into clean fields with low weed pressure and limited perennial weeds. Aim to keep the crop weed-free until V6, roughly six weeks after planting. Use a pre-plant incorporated herbicide and scout the field early after emergence.
  • Seed treatments are available to minimize the impact of early-season root rots and seedling diseases.