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When to Plant Soybeans in Indiana County, PA

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.

Indiana County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 450 feet, Indiana County receives approximately 41.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Soybeans to ensure they mature before fall.

Indiana County, PA (Zone 5b) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Indiana County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Oct 11

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Soybeans needs ~1,300 GDD — county provides 2,028 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Indiana County, PA

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jun 7
Harvest August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Oct 4

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 5b

Growing Season

156 days

Growing Tips for Indiana 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 Indiana County, PA?

Indiana County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Indiana County, PA?

Indiana County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Indiana County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Indiana County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.