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When to plant Soybeans in Five Points, CA

Soybeans planted in Five Points between March 9 and March 30 matures in 80–120 days — well before the November 23 first frost.

When to Plant Soybeans in Five Points, CA

Fresno County, California Zone 9b August

Top priorities for Fresno County, California gardeners in August

Your garden in Fresno County, California is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this August.

Avg. last frost March 2
Avg. first frost November 23
Soil temp (4") 89°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs

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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.

Five Points, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 266 days.

At an elevation of 2,276 feet, Fresno County receives approximately 14.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 100°F, so Soybeans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Soybeans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Five Points, CA (Zone 9b) Long season
266 days
Last Spring Frost March 2
266 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Five Points Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Soybeans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 2 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 28

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 Five Points

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.5) overlaps with Soybeans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). 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 266-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 26 to harvest before frost.

Soybeans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.2″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,173 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.1" 4.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Fresno 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 ~2,500 GDD — county provides 6,650 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Five Points, CA

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 30
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 – Jul 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

266 days in Fresno County

Growing Tips for Soybeans in Five Points

Direct sow Soybeans outdoors after March 02 in Fresno County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 100°F in Fresno County, provide afternoon shade for Soybeans and water deeply in the morning.

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

Fresno County receives only 15" of rain annually. Soybeans needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 →

When should I plant Soybeans in Five Points, CA?

In Five Points, CA, plant Soybeans after the last frost (around March 2) and before the first frost (around November 23). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Five Points, CA for Soybeans?

Five Points sits in USDA Zone 9b. Soybeans grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Soybeans grow in Five Points's climate?

Yes — Soybeans grows well in Five Points's temperate climate. Five Points averages a 266-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 2 and first frost around November 23.

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A 22-page printable planner built for Fresno County (Zone 9b). 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 Fresno County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.