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When to Plant Soybeans in Winona 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.

Winona County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 160 days.

At an elevation of 1,396 feet, Winona County receives approximately 37.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Soybeans to ensure they mature before fall.

Winona County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
160 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
160 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Winona 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 (19 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 2

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 37 gal / 100 sq ft
Soybeans needs ~1,000 GDD — county provides 1,600 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Winona County, MN

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 4
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 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 4b

Growing Season

160 days

Growing Tips for Winona 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 Winona County, MN?

Winona County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Winona County, MN?

Winona County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Winona County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Winona County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.