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When to Plant Soybeans in Windsor 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.

Windsor County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 4b. 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 309 feet, Windsor County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Soybeans to ensure they mature before fall.

Windsor County, VT (Zone 4b) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Windsor County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 23
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 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Oct 12

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 ~1,225 GDD — county provides 1,813 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Windsor County, VT

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 16
Harvest August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Oct 13

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 4b

Growing Season

148 days

Growing Tips for Windsor 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 Windsor County, VT?

Windsor County is in Zone 4b 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 Windsor County, VT?

Windsor County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. 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 Windsor County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Windsor County, VT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.