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When to Plant Soybeans in Suwannee County, FL

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.

Suwannee County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. 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 383 feet, Suwannee County receives approximately 53.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 91Β°F, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring β€” great for early planting β€” 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.

Suwannee County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Suwannee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

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 β€” 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb β€” 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" πŸ’§ Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" πŸ’§ Light watering
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" πŸ’§ Light watering
Jun 4.3" 8" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.8" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.3" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.1" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" πŸ’§ Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.3" 2" πŸ’§ Light watering
Dec β€” 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Soybeans Planting Timeline β€” Suwannee County, FL

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 – Apr 1
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 – Jul 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

β˜€οΈ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

πŸ’§ Water

Moderate β€” regular watering

πŸ“… Days to Maturity

80–120 days

πŸ§ͺ Soil pH

Needs 6–7 Β· Your soil: N/A

πŸ—ΊοΈ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

πŸ“† Growing Season

267 days in Suwannee County

Growing Tips for Suwannee County

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 Suwannee County, FL?

Suwannee County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date β€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Suwannee County, FL?

Suwannee County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner β€” designed to help Suwannee County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Suwannee County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.