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When to Plant Soybeans in Camas County, ID

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.

Camas County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 5,406 feet, Camas County receives approximately 21.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Camas County, ID (Zone 5a) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Camas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Oct 19

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 674 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Soybeans needs ~1,525 GDD — county provides 2,333 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Camas County, ID

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 31
Harvest August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Sep 27

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 โ€”
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

153 days

Growing Tips for Camas 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 Camas County, ID?

Camas County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Camas County, ID?

Camas County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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