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When to Plant Soybeans in Hancock County, WV

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.

Hancock County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 2,780 feet, Hancock County receives approximately 53.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Soybeans root diseases.

Hancock County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Hancock County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 1

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Soybeans needs ~1,675 GDD — county provides 3,115 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Hancock County, WV

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Sep 19

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 โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

186 days

Growing Tips for Hancock 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 Hancock County, WV?

Hancock County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hancock County, WV?

Hancock County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hancock County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Hancock County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.