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When to Plant Edamame in Indiana County, PA

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.

Indiana County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 450 feet, Indiana County receives approximately 41.4 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.

Indiana County, PA (Zone 5b) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Indiana County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Sep 20

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 ~1,138 GDD — county provides 2,028 GDD Excellent fit

Edamame Planting Timeline โ€” Indiana County, PA

Edamame Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jun 7
Harvest August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Sep 13

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 Direct Sow
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
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

156 days

Growing Tips for Indiana 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 Indiana County, PA?

Indiana County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Edamame planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Indiana County, PA?

Indiana County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Indiana 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 Indiana County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.