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When to Plant Soybeans in Warren 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.

Warren County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 801 feet, Warren County receives approximately 36.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Warren County, IL (Zone 5a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Warren 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 (50 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15

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 421 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 2,912 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Warren County, IL

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Sep 7

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 5a

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Warren 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 Warren County, IL?

Warren County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Warren County, IL?

Warren County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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