Blog

When to plant Edamame in Pope County, MN

Edamame planted in Pope County between May 18 and June 8 matures in 75–100 days — well before the October 3 first frost.

When to Plant Edamame in Pope County, MN

Pope County, Minnesota Zone 4b June

June in Pope County, Minnesota — your action list

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Pope County, Minnesota.

Avg. last frost May 4
Avg. first frost October 3
Soil temp (4") 65°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.5 hrs

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Pope County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 152 days.

At an elevation of 1,061 feet, Pope County receives approximately 31.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Edamame to ensure they mature before fall.

Pope County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
152 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
152 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Pope County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Edamame Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 13

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 Pope County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–7.0) is within Edamame's preferred range (6.0–7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — Edamame will thrive.

How to Plant Edamame

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

Succession Planting Edamame

2
successive plantings in your 152-day season

Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 25 to harvest before frost.

Edamame Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 66 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.9" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 3.1" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.9" 3.4" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 2.7" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 2.3" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Pope 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 ~1,138 GDD — county provides 1,976 GDD Excellent fit

Edamame Planting Timeline — Pope County, MN

Edamame Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 18 May 18 – Jun 8
Harvest August 3 Aug 3 – Sep 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

75–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

152 days in Pope County

Growing Tips for Edamame in Pope County

Direct sow Edamame outdoors after May 04 in Pope 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 Pope County, MN?

Pope County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Edamame planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pope County, MN?

Pope County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 3.

When should I plant Edamame in Pope County, MN?

In Pope County, MN, plant Edamame after the last frost (around May 4) and before the first frost (around October 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Pope County, MN for Edamame?

Pope County sits in USDA Zone 4b. Edamame grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Edamame grow in Pope County's climate?

Yes — Edamame grows well in Pope County's temperate climate. Pope County averages a 152-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 4 and first frost around October 3.

🌱

Your Pope County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Pope County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Pope County, MN. 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.