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When to Plant Soybeans in Kitsap County, WA

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.

Kitsap County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 225 days.

At an elevation of 264 feet, Kitsap County receives approximately 38 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Kitsap County, WA (Zone 8a) Long season
225 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
225 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Kitsap County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 582 gal / 100 sq ft
Soybeans needs ~1,375 GDD — county provides 3,093 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Kitsap County, WA

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Aug 19

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 โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

225 days

Growing Tips for Kitsap 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 Kitsap County, WA?

Kitsap County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kitsap County, WA?

Kitsap County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kitsap County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Kitsap County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.