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When to plant Soybeans in Sizerock, KY

Plant Soybeans in Sizerock after April 22; the prime window is April 29–May 20.

When to Plant Soybeans in Sizerock, KY

Leslie County, Kentucky Zone 7a July

July to-do list for Leslie County, Kentucky

Here's what deserves your attention in Leslie County, Kentucky this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 22
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Collect soybeans at their peak

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

August prep starts now
  • 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.

Sizerock, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 2,667 feet, Leslie County receives approximately 45 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Sizerock, KY (Zone 7a) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Sizerock Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Soybeans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 21

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 Sizerock

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) overlaps with Soybeans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Soybeans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). 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 181-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 22 to harvest before frost.

Soybeans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 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 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Leslie 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 ~1,675 GDD — county provides 3,031 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Sizerock, KY

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 – May 20
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 – Sep 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 Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

181 days in Leslie County

Growing Tips for Soybeans in Sizerock

Direct sow Soybeans outdoors after April 22 in Leslie 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.

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 Sizerock, KY?

In Sizerock, KY, plant Soybeans after the last frost (around April 22) and before the first frost (around October 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Sizerock, KY for Soybeans?

Sizerock sits in USDA Zone 7a. Soybeans grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Soybeans grow in Sizerock's climate?

Yes — Soybeans grows well in Sizerock's temperate climate. Sizerock averages a 181-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 22 and first frost around October 20.

🌱

Your Leslie County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Leslie County (Zone 7a). 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 Leslie County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.