Soils to Grow Soybean Sprouts

pH Level

• The soil should have a pH level of about 6.5. At this pH level, the soil is slightly acidic. Soybeans can survive in many types of soil. A pH level between 5.8 and 7.0 works for soybean sprouts. Collect a soil sample and take it to your local extension office for testing.

Moisture

• The amount of moisture in the soil for growing soybean sprouts must be adequate to sustain helpful soil organisms including earthworms, algae and bacteria. However, the soil also must be airy, which helps drain excess water. Good aeration prevents fungal diseases and weeds while reducing erosion. Adding sand to soybean soils helps aeration.

Other Features

• Soybean sprout soil must be loose and loamy, meaning it is rich in minerals. A clay soil does not work well for soybean sprouts because it retains too much water and hardens when dry, preventing soybean seedlings from sprouting. Soil temperatures must be about 55 to 60 degrees F. The rate of soybean sprout growth rises as the soil temperature increases.

Amendments

• Adding amendments such as organic mulch or sphagnum peat moss to the clay soil makes it suitable for soybeans. Fertilizers provide several critical nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and chloride. Adding lime is necessary if the soil pH level is less than 6.0 and if the magnesium level low.