Blog

When to Plant Edamame in Cooke County, TX

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.

Cooke County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 1,818 feet, Cooke County receives approximately 69.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Edamame during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Edamame root diseases.

Cooke County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Cooke County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 12

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.

Soil Compatibility in Cooke County

How your county's soil matches Edamame's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.6) overlaps with Edamame's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Cooke County is excellent for Edamame โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Edamame.

How to Plant Edamame

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Edamame

3
successive plantings in your 230-day season

Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Edamame

Edamame needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Edamame Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.9" 8.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 3.9" 9.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 10.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 9.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 7.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 6.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 3.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.9" 2.2" 1.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Cooke County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Edamame Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Edamame needs ~1,400 GDD — county provides 3,680 GDD Excellent fit

Edamame Planting Timeline โ€” Cooke County, TX

Edamame Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Jul 30

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 โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

75โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

230 days in Cooke County

Growing Tips for Edamame in Cooke County

Direct sow Edamame outdoors after March 26 in Cooke County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Edamame in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Edamame in Cooke County, TX?

Cooke County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Edamame planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cooke County, TX?

Cooke County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cooke County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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