Blog

When to Plant Soybeans in Kittson County, MN

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.

Kittson County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 139 days.

At an elevation of 778 feet, Kittson County receives approximately 40.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Soybeans to ensure they mature before fall.

Kittson County, MN (Zone 3a) Short season
139 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
139 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Kittson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Oct 3

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Soybeans needs ~850 GDD — county provides 1,181 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Kittson County, MN

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 18
Harvest August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Oct 1

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 3a

Growing Season

139 days

Growing Tips for Kittson 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 Kittson County, MN?

Kittson County is in Zone 3a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kittson County, MN?

Kittson County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kittson County gardeners in Zone 3a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Kittson County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.