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When to Plant Soybeans in Schuyler 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.

Schuyler County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 1,174 feet, Schuyler County receives approximately 41.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Schuyler County, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Schuyler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 140 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 2,571 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Schuyler County, IL

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Sep 10

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 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 5b

Growing Season

187 days

Growing Tips for Schuyler 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Soybeans in Schuyler County, IL?

Schuyler County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Schuyler County, IL?

Schuyler County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Schuyler County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Schuyler County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.