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When to Plant Edamame in King County, WA

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.

King County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 258 feet, King County receives approximately 37.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Edamame during the growing season.

King County, WA (Zone 8b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

King County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 16

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 428 gal / 100 sq ft
Edamame needs ~1,466 GDD — county provides 3,450 GDD Excellent fit

Edamame Planting Timeline โ€” King County, WA

Edamame Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Aug 11

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 Harvest
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 8b

Growing Season

206 days

Growing Tips for King 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 King County, WA?

King County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Edamame planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is King County, WA?

King County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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