Using unhulled common seed increases the chance of obtaining thick stands. When the soil is dry, light rainfall does not cause the unhulled seed to sprout, but hulled seed germinates readily and the seedlings may die from lack of moisture before they can become established.

Its bulky nature makes unhulled seed more difficult to distribute uniformly than hulled seed. It must be broadcast and may be harrowed in. It is also difficult to market and is not generally handled by the seed trade. But farmers can harvest seed for their own use and save the expense of having it hulled.