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When to Plant Soybeans in Chippewa County, WI

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.

Chippewa County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 916 feet, Chippewa County receives approximately 40.4 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.

Chippewa County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
136 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Chippewa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 28
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Oct 13

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
1.3″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 63 gal / 100 sq ft
Soybeans needs ~1,225 GDD — county provides 1,666 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Chippewa County, WI

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jun 19
Harvest August 21 Aug 21 โ€“ Oct 16

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 4a

Growing Season

136 days

Growing Tips for Chippewa 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 Chippewa County, WI?

Chippewa County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chippewa County, WI?

Chippewa County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Chippewa County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Chippewa County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.