By Jenny Carleo and DJ Stokes
Should I Plant in Dry Soil or Not?
“Dusting in” refers to planting into completely dry soil as a way to get the seed planted while there is time, and then to wait on rain to get the seeds to germinate. This is generally not a recommended practice for soybeans. There is significant risk involved if the rain that does come is light, spotty, or delayed. Under those conditions, seed may absorb enough water to begin swelling but then dry back out before germination is completed. If that occurs, the seed can die. There is also some risk if a large rainfall event occurs before seedlings are established, particularly on soils prone to crusting, washing, or stand loss.
How Long Can Soybean Seeds Sit in the Soil?
Farmers are concerned that soybean seeds will not be able to endure sitting in the soil for too long because of the high oil content of soybeans, which will cause the seeds to go bad. This is only a concern under both very hot and dry soil conditions. When soils are too dry for emergence and soil temperatures reach approximately 95 to 97°F, seed germination potential can begin to decline after roughly 3 to 5 days under those conditions. For that reason, planting into hot, dry soil is not advised when seed is likely to remain there for more than a few days before receiving enough moisture to germinate.
The NC State Climate Office monitors current soil temperatures across the state as well as many other weather conditions. You can easily use this tool to check the soil temperatures in your general area.
NC State Extension Recommendations for Soybean Planting as of April 21, 2026
It is our recommendation at this point to hold off on planting soybeans until the optimal planting date window and until soil moisture conditions improve. Here are our recommendations:
Source : ncsu.edu