How to Grow Soy Beans for Fuel

Soybeans, according to Purdue University and "Science Daily," could become a supplement or alternative to fossil fuels. Experiments conducted by Purdue University and "Science Daily" showed that a mix of 50 percent fossil fuel and 50 percent soybean oil burned more efficiently than fossil fuels alone. By growing soybeans for fuel, you can create your own oil to mix with heating fuel and fuel for farm equipment.

Motorized tiller
Mature compost
Soybean seeds
Water
Garden hose with nozzle sprayer

Instructions

- 1
  Plant soybeans in late spring after the threat of frost. The soil must be at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit for the soybeans to germinate and sprout. Choose a planting area located in full sun with moist, dark soil.
- 2
  Push your tiller blades about 6 inches into the soil at the edge of your planting area. Push the tiller up and down the area until the soil is loose and crumbly.
- 3
  Add 4 inches of mature compost to the top of the tilled area. Run the tiller over the area once more to mix in the compost.
- 4
  Drop dry soybeans about 4 inches apart in rows about 2 feet apart. Cover each seed with about 2 inches of soil. Do not water right after planting. Instead, mist the planted area with a garden hose sprayer. Hold the sprayer about 3 feet over the area and moisten the topsoil.
- 5
  Water the soybeans with about a cup of water per plant after sprouting. Water each week and keep the beds moist, especially during dry periods.
- 6
  Thin the plants three weeks after sprouting. You should have no more than one plant every 4 inches. Harvest the beans in the early fall when the pods are plump and about 3 inches long. Dry them for about three weeks before shelling.

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