Blog

When to Plant Soybeans in Atlantic County, NJ

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.

Atlantic County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 232 feet, Atlantic County receives approximately 49.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Atlantic County, NJ (Zone 7a) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Atlantic County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (81 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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Soybeans needs ~1,825 GDD — county provides 4,033 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Atlantic County, NJ

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Aug 30

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 โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

221 days

Growing Tips for Atlantic 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 Atlantic County, NJ?

Atlantic County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Atlantic County, NJ?

Atlantic County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Atlantic County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Atlantic County, NJ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.