Edamame Planting Guide

April

edamame this April — what to know

Some notes on edamame care that hold up no matter where you garden — then check your zone for specifics.

Sun full sun

Water moderate

Days to harvest 75–100

Plant depth 1″

Spacing 15″

How to water edamame
Consistent moisture matters more than volume for edamame. Little and often beats occasional drenching.
Where to put edamame
South-facing beds are ideal for edamame. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant edamame. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.

Show me edamame timing for my zone →

Edamame are soybeans harvested at the immature green stage for a sweet, nutty snack. They are high in protein and easy to grow in warm climates.

Glycine max · Vegetable · Fabaceae family · 75–100 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Edamame Planting Dates

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

Where Can You Grow Edamame?

Zone Compatibility for Edamame 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 14 – Sep 25
Zone 3b	—	May 24	—	Aug 9 – Sep 20
Zone 4a	—	May 20	—	Aug 5 – Sep 16
Zone 4b	—	May 15	—	Jul 31 – Sep 11
Zone 5a	—	May 2	—	Jul 18 – Aug 29
Zone 5b	—	Apr 25	—	Jul 11 – Aug 22
Zone 6a	—	Apr 17	—	Jul 3 – Aug 14
Zone 6b	—	Apr 10	—	Jun 26 – Aug 7
Zone 7a	—	Apr 1	—	Jun 17 – Jul 29
Zone 7b	—	Mar 25	—	Jun 10 – Jul 22
Zone 8a	—	Mar 15	—	May 31 – Jul 12
Zone 8b	—	Mar 4	—	May 20 – Jul 1
Zone 9a	—	Feb 17	—	May 5 – Jun 16
Zone 9b	—	Feb 1	—	Apr 19 – May 31
Zone 10a	—	Jan 8	—	Mar 26 – May 7
Zone 10b	—	Jan 8	—	Mar 26 – May 7

Why are some columns showing "—"?

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

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

How to Plant Edamame

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

75–100 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 Edamame

Edamame matures in just 75–100 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 8.6 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 Edamame

✅ Good Companions

Corn Squash Summer

❌ Keep Away From

Onion Garlic

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Edamame

Direct sow after soil is warm. Do not over-fertilize with nitrogen. Harvest when pods are plump and bright green but before they start to yellow. Steam or boil pods before eating.

Saving Edamame 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.

Reader favourite

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

$27 $157 value

Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.

200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant

Save a lifetime of seed money →

Edamame by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Edamame?

Edamame (Glycine max) takes 75 to 100 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Edamame grow in?

Edamame 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 Edamame need?

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