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When to Plant Soybeans in Windham County, VT

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.

Windham County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 1,164 feet, Windham County receives approximately 49.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Windham County, VT (Zone 5a) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Windham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Oct 13

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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Soybeans needs ~1,450 GDD — county provides 2,146 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Windham County, VT

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 9
Harvest August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Oct 6

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 5a

Growing Season

148 days

Growing Tips for Windham 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 Windham County, VT?

Windham County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Windham County, VT?

Windham County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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