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When to Plant Edamame in Benton County, OR

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.

Benton County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 97 feet, Benton County receives approximately 53.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Edamame during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Edamame root diseases.

Benton County, OR (Zone 8a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Benton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 3

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Edamame needs ~1,203 GDD — county provides 2,736 GDD Excellent fit

Edamame Planting Timeline โ€” Benton County, OR

Edamame Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Aug 18

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 8a

Growing Season

199 days

Growing Tips for Benton 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 Benton County, OR?

Benton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Edamame planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Benton County, OR?

Benton County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Benton County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Benton County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.