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When to Plant Soybeans in Grand County, UT

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.

Grand County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 5,415 feet, Grand County receives approximately 23.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Grand County, UT (Zone 6a) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Grand County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 24

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.

Soil Compatibility in Grand County

How your county's soil matches Soybeans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4โ€“7.9) is more alkaline than Soybeans prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Grand County is excellent for Soybeans โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Soybeans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Soybeans.

How to Plant Soybeans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Soybeans

2
successive plantings in your 177-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 15 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,421 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Soybeans

Soybeans needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Soybeans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Grand County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Soybeans Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Soybeans needs ~1,825 GDD — county provides 3,230 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Grand County, UT

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Sep 13

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 2-3 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

80โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

177 days in Grand County

Growing Tips for Soybeans in Grand County

Direct sow Soybeans outdoors after April 19 in Grand County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Soybeans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Grand County receives only 23" of rain annually. Soybeans needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Soybeans in Grand County, UT?

Grand County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grand County, UT?

Grand County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grand County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Grand County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.