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When to Plant Soybeans in Gallatin County, IL

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.

Gallatin County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 1,391 feet, Gallatin County receives approximately 37 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Gallatin County, IL (Zone 6b) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Gallatin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 4

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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 551 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Soybeans needs ~1,375 GDD — county provides 2,846 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Gallatin County, IL

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Aug 31

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 โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

207 days

Growing Tips for Gallatin 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 Gallatin County, IL?

Gallatin County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gallatin County, IL?

Gallatin County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Gallatin County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Gallatin County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.