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When to plant Soybeans in Faribault County, MN

Soybeans planted in Faribault County between May 7 and May 28 matures in 80–120 days — well before the October 4 first frost.

When to Plant Soybeans in Faribault County, MN

Faribault County, Minnesota Zone 5a July

Your July game plan for Faribault County, Minnesota

Welcome to July in Zone 5a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 30
Avg. first frost October 4
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.9 hrs
  1. Harvest soybeans as they ripen

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

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.

Faribault County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 506 feet, Faribault County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Soybeans to ensure they mature before fall.

Faribault County, MN (Zone 5a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Faribault County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Soybeans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 1

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 Faribault County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–7.1) overlaps with Soybeans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.9%) — Soybeans will thrive.

How to Plant Soybeans

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

Succession Planting Soybeans

2
successive plantings in your 157-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 06 to harvest before frost.

Soybeans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Faribault 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 ~1,075 GDD — county provides 1,687 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Faribault County, MN

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

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 5a

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Faribault County

Growing Tips for Soybeans in Faribault County

Direct sow Soybeans outdoors after April 30 in Faribault 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Soybeans in Faribault County, MN?

Faribault County is in Zone 5a 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 Faribault County, MN?

Faribault County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 4.

When should I plant Soybeans in Faribault County, MN?

In Faribault County, MN, plant Soybeans after the last frost (around April 30) and before the first frost (around October 4). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Faribault County, MN for Soybeans?

Faribault County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Soybeans grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Soybeans grow in Faribault County's climate?

Yes — Soybeans grows well in Faribault County's temperate climate. Faribault County averages a 157-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 30 and first frost around October 4.

🌱

Your Faribault County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Faribault County (Zone 5a). 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 Faribault County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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