Soybeans Planting Guide

Soybeans (edamame) are a high-protein legume that fixes nitrogen in the soil. Fresh green soybeans harvested at the edamame stage are a nutritious snack.

Glycine max · Vegetable · Fabaceae family · 80–120 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Soybeans Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Soybeans?

Zone Compatibility for Soybeans Zones 3a – 10b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 3a	—	May 29	—	Aug 21 – Oct 2
Zone 3b	—	May 24	—	Aug 16 – Sep 27
Zone 4a	—	May 20	—	Aug 12 – Oct 7
Zone 4b	—	May 15	—	Aug 7 – Oct 2
Zone 5a	—	May 2	—	Jul 25 – Sep 19
Zone 5b	—	Apr 25	—	Jul 18 – Sep 12
Zone 6a	—	Apr 17	—	Jul 10 – Sep 4
Zone 6b	—	Apr 10	—	Jul 3 – Aug 28
Zone 7a	—	Apr 1	—	Jun 24 – Aug 19
Zone 7b	—	Mar 25	—	Jun 17 – Aug 12
Zone 8a	—	Mar 15	—	Jun 7 – Aug 2
Zone 8b	—	Mar 4	—	May 27 – Jul 22
Zone 9a	—	Feb 17	—	May 12 – Jul 7
Zone 9b	—	Feb 1	—	Apr 26 – Jun 21
Zone 10a	—	Jan 8	—	Apr 2 – May 28
Zone 10b	—	Jan 8	—	Apr 2 – May 28

Why are some columns showing "—"?

Start Indoors shows "—" because Soybeans is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.

Transplant shows "—" because Soybeans is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.

How to Plant Soybeans

Planting Depth

15"

Between Plants

24"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 7

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 3a – 10b

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.

👪 Plant Family

Fabaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Fabaceae family crops grew last year.

Succession Planting Soybeans

Soybeans matures in just 80–120 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 2 successive plantings by sowing every 9.1 weeks.

Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.

Companion Planting for Soybeans

✅ Good Companions

Corn Squash Summer Potatoes

❌ Keep Away From

Onion Garlic

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Soybeans

Direct sow after soil warms to 60F. Plant in blocks rather than rows for better pollination. Harvest for edamame when pods are plump and bright green.

Saving Soybeans Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪

Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️

Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Level Up Your Garden

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

Learn when to harvest, how to dry, and how to store seeds from 200 plants. Never buy seeds again.

Learn More →

Soybeans by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Soybeans?

Soybeans (Glycine max) takes 80 to 120 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Soybeans grow in?

Soybeans can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Soybeans need?

Growing Soybeans requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.

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