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When to Plant Edamame in Rankin County, MS

Rankin County, Mississippi Zone 8b May

This month in Rankin County, Mississippi

Each item below is timed to Rankin County, Mississippi's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 17
Avg. first frost November 13
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
June will be here before you know it — start on
  • 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.

Rankin County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 241 days.

At an elevation of 348 feet, Rankin County receives approximately 51.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Edamame may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Edamame, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Edamame root diseases.

Rankin County, MS (Zone 8b) Long season
241 days
Last Spring Frost March 17
241 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Rankin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 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 Rankin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.5) overlaps with Edamame's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Edamame.

How to Plant Edamame

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

Succession Planting Edamame

3
successive plantings in your 241-day season

Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 9 gal / 100 sq ft

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 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.9" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.9" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 3.5" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 3.4" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.9" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Rankin 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 ~1,859 GDD — county provides 5,121 GDD Excellent fit

Edamame Planting Timeline — Rankin County, MS

Edamame Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 14
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 – Jul 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

241 days in Rankin County

Growing Tips for Edamame in Rankin County

Direct sow Edamame outdoors after March 17 in Rankin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Rankin County's clay soil (28% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Edamame. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Rankin County, MS?

Rankin County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 17. Plan your Edamame planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rankin County, MS?

Rankin County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 17 and first fall frost is November 13.

🌱

Your Rankin County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Rankin County (Zone 8b). 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 Rankin County, MS. 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.