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When to Plant Soybeans in Nance 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.

Nance County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 164 days.

At an elevation of 797 feet, Nance County receives approximately 23.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Soybeans to ensure they mature before fall.

Nance County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
164 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
164 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Nance County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.4

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 โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.3" 2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Nance County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Soybeans Planting Timeline โ€” Nance County, NE

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Harvest July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

80โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

164 days in Nance County

Growing Tips for Nance 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 Nance County, NE?

Nance County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nance County, NE?

Nance County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Nance County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Nance County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.