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When to Plant Soybeans in Cleburne County, AR

Cleburne County, Arkansas Zone 7b May

This month in Cleburne County, Arkansas

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Cleburne County, Arkansas.

Avg. last frost March 28
Avg. first frost November 2
Soil temp (4") 66°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.9 hrs
Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • First harvests: soybeans

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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.

Cleburne County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 219 days.

At an elevation of 1,207 feet, Cleburne County receives approximately 48.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Cleburne County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
219 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
219 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2
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Cleburne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 5

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 Cleburne 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 silt loam soil in Cleburne County is excellent for Soybeans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). 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 219-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 05 to harvest before frost.

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 132 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 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Cleburne 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 3,996 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Cleburne County, AR

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 25
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December
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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 7b

📆 Growing Season

219 days in Cleburne County

Growing Tips for Soybeans in Cleburne County

Direct sow Soybeans outdoors after March 28 in Cleburne County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Cleburne County, AR?

Cleburne County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cleburne County, AR?

Cleburne County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 2.

🌱

Your Cleburne County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Cleburne County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Cleburne County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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