With seeding just around the corner, there are a number of factors that could hinder your plant growth.
One of those factors can be seeding depth and making sure your seeds are planted at the right depth depending on the crop you are growing.
“Planting at a consistent depth with proper seed to soil contact will increase quick, even and uniform germination. But this is going to increase the chances of even maturity later in the growing season, which is going to help with fungicide timing and harvest staging of the crop,” said crops extension specialist Kaeley Kindrachuk.
She added that, while seeding into moisture is important, seeding too deep can cause uneven or reduced emergence, weak plants and sometimes increase seedling diseases. Slow or uneven germination could mean the crops can’t compete with the weeds in the field.
Some of the recommended depths for crops grown in Saskatchewan include the following:
Peas – 1.2 to 3.2 inches
Lentil – 1 to 3 inches
Chickpeas – 1.5 to 2.5 inches
Faba Beans – 2 to 3 inches
Dry Beans – 2 to 2.5 inches
Soybeans – 0.75 to 1.5 inches
Canola – 0.5 to 1 inch
Flax – 1 to 1.5 inches
Mustard – 0.5 to 1 inch
Wheat – 1.5 to 2.5 inches
Winter Wheat – 0.5 to 1 inch
Barley – 1.5 to 1.75 inches
Oats – 0.75 to 1.25 inches
Corn – 1.5 to 2 inches
Kindrachuk in order to make sure you are seeding to the correct depth, make sure you are checking regularly. After the drill, use a seed depth tool to check consistency in a few rows.
More information about seeding depths can be found at Sask Ag Now or by calling your local crops extension specialist.
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