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When to plant Soybeans in Bent County, CO

Soybeans planted in Bent County between May 6 and May 27 matures in 80–120 days — well before the October 9 first frost.

When to Plant Soybeans in Bent County, CO

Bent County, Colorado Zone 6a July

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Avg. last frost April 29
Avg. first frost October 9
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Pick soybeans

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

August will be here before you know it — start on
  • 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.

Bent County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 4,516 feet, Bent County receives approximately 12.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Soybeans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Bent County, CO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Bent County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Soybeans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 29

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 Bent County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.8) is more alkaline than Soybeans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Bent 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

2
successive plantings in your 163-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 11 to harvest before frost.

Soybeans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,185 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 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Bent 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 ~1,525 GDD — county provides 2,485 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Bent County, CO

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 – May 27
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 – Sep 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Direct Sow
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

163 days in Bent County

Growing Tips for Soybeans in Bent County

Direct sow Soybeans outdoors after April 29 in Bent 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.

Bent County receives only 12" 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Soybeans in Bent County, CO?

Bent County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bent County, CO?

Bent County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 9.

When should I plant Soybeans in Bent County, CO?

In Bent County, CO, plant Soybeans after the last frost (around April 29) and before the first frost (around October 9). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Bent County, CO for Soybeans?

Bent County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Soybeans grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Soybeans grow in Bent County's climate?

Yes — Soybeans grows well in Bent County's temperate climate. Bent County averages a 163-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 29 and first frost around October 9.

🌱

Your Bent County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bent County (Zone 6a). 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 Bent County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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