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When to plant Edamame in Sutter County, CA

Plant Edamame in Sutter County from March 11 to April 1 in spring. Sutter County sits in USDA Zone 9b, with last frost around March 4 and first frost on November 26.

When to Plant Edamame in Sutter County, CA

Sutter County, California Zone 9b June

Your June gardening checklist

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 4
Avg. first frost November 26
Soil temp (4") 85°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Basket week: edamame

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Get ahead of July
  • First harvests: edamame

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Edamame are soybeans harvested at the immature green stage for a sweet, nutty snack. They are high in protein and easy to grow in warm climates.

Sutter County, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 267 days.

At an elevation of 484 feet, Sutter County receives approximately 21.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Edamame during the growing season.

Sutter County, CA (Zone 9b) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Sutter County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Edamame Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 7 🍅 Harvest: Apr 25 – Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 24

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 Sutter County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.7) is more alkaline than Edamame prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Edamame.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Edamame.

How to Plant Edamame

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

Succession Planting Edamame

4
successive plantings in your 267-day season

Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 18 to harvest before frost.

Edamame Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,376 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Edamame

Edamame needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Edamame Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 3.7" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Apr 3.9" 1.4" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
May 3.9" 0.6" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 3.9" 0.1" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.9" 0" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3.9" 0" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 3.9" 0.2" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 3.9" 0.9" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 3.9" 1.8" 2.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Edamame 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.

Edamame needs ~1,400 GDD — county provides 4,272 GDD Excellent fit

Edamame Planting Timeline — Sutter County, CA

Edamame Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 – Apr 1
Harvest May 27 May 27 – Jul 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

75–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

267 days in Sutter County

Growing Tips for Edamame in Sutter County

Direct sow Edamame outdoors after March 04 in Sutter County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Sutter County receives only 21" of rain annually. Edamame needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Direct sow after soil is warm. Do not over-fertilize with nitrogen. Harvest when pods are plump and bright green but before they start to yellow. Steam or boil pods before eating.

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 Edamame in Sutter County, CA?

Sutter County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Edamame planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sutter County, CA?

Sutter County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 26.

When should I plant Edamame in Sutter County, CA?

In Sutter County, CA, plant Edamame after the last frost (around March 4) and before the first frost (around November 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Sutter County, CA for Edamame?

Sutter County sits in USDA Zone 9b. Edamame grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Edamame grow in Sutter County's climate?

Yes — Edamame grows well in Sutter County's temperate climate. Sutter County averages a 267-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 4 and first frost around November 26.

🌱

Your Sutter County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Sutter 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 Sutter County, CA. 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.