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When to Plant Edamame in Athens County, OH

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.

Athens County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 645 feet, Athens County receives approximately 39.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Edamame during the growing season.

Athens County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Athens County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 6

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 725 gal / 100 sq ft
Edamame needs ~1,334 GDD — county provides 2,882 GDD Excellent fit

Edamame Planting Timeline โ€” Athens County, OH

Edamame Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 18
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Aug 24

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

75โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

189 days

Growing Tips for Athens County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Edamame in Athens County, OH?

Athens County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Edamame planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Athens County, OH?

Athens County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Athens County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Athens County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.