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When to Plant Soybeans in Hall County, NE

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.

Hall County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 853 feet, Hall County receives approximately 20.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Soybeans to ensure they mature before fall.

Hall County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Hall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

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 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Hall County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Hall County, NE

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 – May 26
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 – Sep 22

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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

163 days in Hall County

Growing Tips for Hall County

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 Hall County, NE?

Hall County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hall County, NE?

Hall County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 8.

🌱

Your Hall County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hall County (Zone 5b). 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 Hall County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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