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When to Plant Soybeans in Randolph 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.

Randolph County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 3,202 feet, Randolph County receives approximately 54.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Soybeans root diseases.

Randolph County, WV (Zone 5b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 8
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Randolph County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Oct 11

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
1.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Soybeans needs ~1,525 GDD — county provides 2,394 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Randolph County, WV

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jun 5
Harvest August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Oct 2

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 5b

Growing Season

157 days

Growing Tips for Randolph 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 Randolph County, WV?

Randolph County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 8. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Randolph County, WV?

Randolph County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 8 and first fall frost is October 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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