A seeding depth of 4–6 cm (1.5–2.5 in.) is normal, but deeper plantings of up to 9 cm (3.5 in.) may be necessary to seed into moisture. At minimum, planting depth should be at least 1.2 cm (0.5 in.) into soil moisture.
The seeding depth for dry edible beans is critical for uniform emergence. Frequently, poor stands are the result of not planting into moisture. Uneven emergence results in uneven maturity.
Beans planted deeper than recommended are more susceptible to poor emergence and crusting. Some older drills cannot provide accurate depth control. In these situations, a planter may be a better option. Seed drills should have gentle seed distribution devices, depth bands — or depth gauge wheels — and press wheels to ensure uniform seed placement and coverage. High quality, accurate and calibrated seeding equipment is critical to dry edible bean production success. Rolling or packing a field prior to planting helps firm the seedbed and conserve moisture, and can help control planting depth when seeding with a drill. Packing after planting helps level out ridges, pushes down small stones and conserves moisture, but it also makes the soil more susceptible to crusting