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When to plant Soybeans in Gordon County, GA

Gordon County gardeners should plant Soybeans between April 13 and May 4 in spring. With Gordon County's Zone 8a climate (last frost April 6), Soybeans needs 80–120 days to mature — plant by July 2 for a full harvest.

When to Plant Soybeans in Gordon County, GA

Gordon County, Georgia Zone 8a July

July in Gordon County, Georgia — your action list

Here's what deserves your attention in Gordon County, Georgia this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 8a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 6
Avg. first frost October 30
Soil temp (4") 87°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Collect soybeans at their peak

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

Before August arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Gordon County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 416 feet, Gordon County receives approximately 48.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Soybeans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Gordon County, GA (Zone 8a) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Gordon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Soybeans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6

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 Gordon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.7) overlaps with Soybeans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). 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 207-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 02 to harvest before frost.

Soybeans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 22 gal / 100 sq ft

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 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Gordon 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 ~1,600 GDD — county provides 3,312 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Gordon County, GA

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 – May 4
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 – Aug 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

207 days in Gordon County

Growing Tips for Soybeans in Gordon County

Direct sow Soybeans outdoors after April 06 in Gordon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Gordon County's clay soil (34% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Soybeans. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Soybeans in Gordon County, GA?

Gordon County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gordon County, GA?

Gordon County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 30.

When should I plant Soybeans in Gordon County, GA?

In Gordon County, GA, plant Soybeans after the last frost (around April 6) and before the first frost (around October 30). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Gordon County, GA for Soybeans?

Gordon County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Soybeans grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Soybeans grow in Gordon County's climate?

Yes — Soybeans grows well in Gordon County's temperate climate. Gordon County averages a 207-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 6 and first frost around October 30.

🌱

Your Gordon County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Gordon County (Zone 8a). 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 Gordon County, GA. 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.