Blog

When to Plant Soybeans in Ocean 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.

Ocean County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 82 feet, Ocean County receives approximately 44 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Ocean County, NJ (Zone 7a) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Ocean County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 18

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 153 gal / 100 sq ft
Soybeans needs ~1,675 GDD — county provides 3,383 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Ocean County, NJ

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 10
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 โ€“ Sep 6

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 7a

Growing Season

202 days

Growing Tips for Ocean 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 Ocean County, NJ?

Ocean County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ocean County, NJ?

Ocean County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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