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When to Plant Soybeans in Millard 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.

Millard County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 6,525 feet, Millard County receives approximately 24 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Soybeans to ensure they mature before fall.

Millard County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Millard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 24
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 3
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Sep 1 – Oct 27

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 Millard County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“8.0) is more alkaline than Soybeans prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Soybeans.

How to Plant Soybeans

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 387 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€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Millard 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 ~1,300 GDD — county provides 1,781 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Millard County, UT

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 13
Harvest August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Oct 10

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 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 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

137 days in Millard County

Growing Tips for Soybeans in Millard County

Direct sow Soybeans outdoors after May 16 in Millard 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.

Millard County receives only 24" 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 Millard County, UT?

Millard County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Millard County, UT?

Millard County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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