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When to plant Soybeans in Williston, FL

Williston's climate puts the Soybeans spring window between March 9 and March 30. aim for a steady week of warm soil before planting.

When to Plant Soybeans in Williston, FL

Levy County, Florida Zone 9a July

Your July planting checklist for Levy County, Florida

Your garden in Levy County, Florida is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this July.

Avg. last frost March 2
Avg. first frost November 28
Soil temp (4") 95°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Bring in the soybeans

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

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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.

Williston, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 271 days.

At an elevation of 305 feet, Levy County receives approximately 50.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 100°F, so Soybeans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Soybeans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Soybeans root diseases.

Williston, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
271 days
Last Spring Frost March 2
271 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Williston Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Soybeans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 2 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12

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 Williston

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9–6.2) is more acidic than Soybeans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Levy County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Soybeans will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Soybeans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.3%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Soybeans.

How to Plant Soybeans

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

Succession Planting Soybeans

3
successive plantings in your 271-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 31 to harvest before frost.

Soybeans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,497 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Levy 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 6,775 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Williston, FL

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 · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

271 days in Levy County

Growing Tips for Soybeans in Williston

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

Sandy soil in Levy County dries quickly — mulch Soybeans with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 100°F in Levy 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.

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 Williston, FL?

In Williston, FL, plant Soybeans after the last frost (around March 2) and before the first frost (around November 28). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Williston, FL for Soybeans?

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

Can Soybeans grow in Williston's climate?

Yes — Soybeans grows well in Williston's temperate climate. Williston averages a 271-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 2 and first frost around November 28.

🌱

Your Levy County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Levy County (Zone 9a). 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 Levy County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.