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When to Plant Edamame in Windsor County, VT

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.

Windsor County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 309 feet, Windsor County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Edamame to ensure they mature before fall.

Windsor County, VT (Zone 4b) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Windsor County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 21

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 Windsor County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9โ€“6.5) is more acidic than Edamame prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Edamame.

How to Plant Edamame

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

Succession Planting Edamame

2
successive plantings in your 148-day season

Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 29 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.4″/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€” 3.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 3.9" 4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov โ€” 3.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Windsor 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 ~1,072 GDD — county provides 1,813 GDD Excellent fit

Edamame Planting Timeline โ€” Windsor County, VT

Edamame Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 16
Harvest August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Sep 22

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

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: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

148 days in Windsor County

Growing Tips for Edamame in Windsor County

Direct sow Edamame outdoors after May 12 in Windsor 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 Windsor County, VT?

Windsor County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Edamame planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Windsor County, VT?

Windsor County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Windsor County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Windsor County, VT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.