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When to Plant Soybeans in Kit Carson County, CO

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.

Kit Carson County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 152 days.

At an elevation of 6,382 feet, Kit Carson County receives approximately 23.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Kit Carson County, CO (Zone 5a) Moderate season
152 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
152 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Kit Carson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 7

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 583 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Soybeans needs ~1,375 GDD — county provides 2,090 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Kit Carson County, CO

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jun 6
Harvest August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Oct 3

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 Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

152 days

Growing Tips for Kit Carson 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 Kit Carson County, CO?

Kit Carson County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kit Carson County, CO?

Kit Carson County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kit Carson County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Kit Carson County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.