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When to Plant Soybeans in Pope County, AR

Soybeans (edamame) are a high-protein legume that fixes nitrogen in the soil. Fresh green soybeans harvested at the edamame stage are a nutritious snack.

Pope County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 413 feet, Pope County receives approximately 52.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Soybeans root diseases.

Pope County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
218 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Pope County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3

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
1.0″/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

Soybeans needs ~1,825 GDD — county provides 3,978 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Pope County, AR

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Aug 22

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 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

80โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

218 days

Growing Tips for Pope County

Direct sow after soil warms to 60F. Plant in blocks rather than rows for better pollination. Harvest for edamame when pods are plump and bright green.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Soybeans in Pope County, AR?

Pope County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pope County, AR?

Pope County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pope County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Pope County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.