Blog

When to Plant Soybeans in Skagit 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.

Skagit County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 232 feet, Skagit County receives approximately 42.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Skagit County, WA (Zone 8a) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Skagit County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 22

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 263 gal / 100 sq ft
Soybeans needs ~1,750 GDD — county provides 3,640 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Skagit County, WA

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Aug 28

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 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

208 days

Growing Tips for Skagit 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 Skagit County, WA?

Skagit County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Skagit County, WA?

Skagit County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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