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When to plant Edamame in Fayette County, IL

Plant Edamame in Fayette County, when soil hits 50°F — usually April 19. Continue planting through May 10 for the spring crop.

When to Plant Edamame in Fayette County, IL

Fayette County, Illinois Zone 6b July

July in Fayette County, Illinois — your action list

Here's what deserves your attention in Fayette County, Illinois this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 12
Avg. first frost October 18
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Start harvesting edamame

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

Get ahead of August
  • 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.

Fayette County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 854 feet, Fayette County receives approximately 40.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Edamame during the growing season.

Fayette County, IL (Zone 6b) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Fayette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Edamame Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 20

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 Fayette County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–7.2) overlaps with Edamame's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Edamame will thrive.

How to Plant Edamame

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

Succession Planting Edamame

2
successive plantings in your 189-day season

Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 10 to harvest before frost.

Edamame Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.9" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 2.9" 1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Fayette 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 ~1,531 GDD — county provides 3,307 GDD Excellent fit

Edamame Planting Timeline — Fayette County, IL

Edamame Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 – May 10
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 – Aug 16

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

0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

75–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

189 days in Fayette County

Growing Tips for Edamame in Fayette County

Direct sow Edamame outdoors after April 12 in Fayette 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.

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 Fayette County, IL?

Fayette County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Edamame planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fayette County, IL?

Fayette County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 18.

When should I plant Edamame in Fayette County, IL?

In Fayette County, IL, plant Edamame after the last frost (around April 12) and before the first frost (around October 18). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Fayette County, IL for Edamame?

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

Can Edamame grow in Fayette County's climate?

Yes — Edamame grows well in Fayette County's temperate climate. Fayette County averages a 189-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 12 and first frost around October 18.

🌱

Your Fayette County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

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