Blog

When to plant Soybeans in Perry County, AL

Perry County's spring Soybeans window runs March 21 through April 11. most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F.

When to Plant Soybeans in Perry County, AL

Perry County, Alabama Zone 8b June

Your June planting checklist for Perry County, Alabama

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 14
Avg. first frost November 13
Soil temp (4") 80°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Basket week: soybeans

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: soybeans

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Perry County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 244 days.

At an elevation of 61 feet, Perry County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Soybeans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Perry County, AL (Zone 8b) Long season
244 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
244 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Perry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Soybeans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21

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.

Soil Compatibility in Perry County

How your county's soil matches Soybeans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.7) overlaps with Soybeans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Perry County is excellent for Soybeans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Soybeans.

How to Plant Soybeans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Soybeans

3
successive plantings in your 244-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 16 to harvest before frost.

Soybeans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 333 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Soybeans

Soybeans needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Soybeans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Perry County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Soybeans Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Soybeans needs ~1,825 GDD — county provides 4,453 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Perry County, AL

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 11
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 – Aug 8

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

244 days in Perry County

Growing Tips for Soybeans in Perry County

Direct sow Soybeans outdoors after March 14 in Perry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Perry County's clay soil (28% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Soybeans. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Common pests for Soybeans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Soybeans in Perry County, AL?

Perry County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Perry County, AL?

Perry County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 13.

When should I plant Soybeans in Perry County, AL?

In Perry County, AL, plant Soybeans after the last frost (around March 14) and before the first frost (around November 13). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Perry County, AL for Soybeans?

Perry County sits in USDA Zone 8b. Soybeans grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Soybeans grow in Perry County's climate?

Yes — Soybeans grows well in Perry County's temperate climate. Perry County averages a 244-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 14 and first frost around November 13.

🌱

Your Perry County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Perry County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Perry County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.