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When to Plant Edamame in Rusk 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.

Rusk County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 253 days.

At an elevation of 252 feet, Rusk County receives approximately 66.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Edamame during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Edamame will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Edamame root diseases.

Rusk County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
253 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
253 growing days
First Fall Frost November 17

Rusk County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 26

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Edamame needs ~1,531 GDD — county provides 4,427 GDD Excellent fit

Edamame Planting Timeline โ€” Rusk County, TX

Edamame Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 6
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jul 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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

253 days

Growing Tips for Rusk 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Edamame in Rusk County, TX?

Rusk County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Edamame planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rusk County, TX?

Rusk County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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