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When to Plant Soybeans in Logan County, KS

Logan County, Kansas Zone 6a May

Your May gardening checklist

May is a pivotal month for Logan County, Kansas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 30
Avg. first frost October 12
Soil temp (4") 60°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Seed soybeans outdoors

    Rake a smooth bed, make a shallow furrow, drop seeds at the spacing on the packet, water gently, walk away.

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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.

Logan County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 764 feet, Logan County receives approximately 22.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Logan County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12
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Logan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 30

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 Logan County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.4) overlaps with Soybeans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). 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 165-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 14 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 753 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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Logan 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 ~1,375 GDD — county provides 2,268 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Logan County, KS

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 – May 28
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 – Sep 24

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
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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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

165 days in Logan County

Growing Tips for Soybeans in Logan County

Direct sow Soybeans outdoors after April 30 in Logan 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.

Logan County receives only 22" 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 Logan County, KS?

Logan County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Logan County, KS?

Logan County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 12.

🌱

Your Logan County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Logan 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 Logan County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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