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When to Plant Soybeans in Marshall 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.

Marshall County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 1,303 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 33.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Soybeans to ensure they mature before fall.

Marshall County, MN (Zone 3a) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
144 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Sep 26

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 31 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Soybeans needs ~1,075 GDD — county provides 1,548 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Marshall County, MN

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 15
Harvest August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Sep 28

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 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 3a

Growing Season

144 days

Growing Tips for Marshall 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 Marshall County, MN?

Marshall County is in Zone 3a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, MN?

Marshall County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marshall County gardeners in Zone 3a 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 Marshall County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.