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When to Plant Edamame in Mercer 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.

Mercer County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 874 feet, Mercer County receives approximately 32.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Edamame to ensure they mature before fall.

Mercer County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Mercer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 5

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 335 gal / 100 sq ft
Edamame needs ~1,138 GDD — county provides 2,275 GDD Excellent fit

Edamame Planting Timeline โ€” Mercer County, OH

Edamame Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Aug 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Mercer 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 Mercer County, OH?

Mercer County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Edamame planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mercer County, OH?

Mercer County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mercer County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Mercer County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.