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When to Plant Soybeans in Red Willow 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.

Red Willow County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 643 feet, Red Willow County receives approximately 21.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season.

Red Willow County, NE (Zone 6a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Red Willow County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Red Willow County, NE

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 – May 30
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 – Sep 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Direct Sow
June
July
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 6a

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Red Willow County

Growing Tips for Red Willow 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 Red Willow County, NE?

Red Willow County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Red Willow County, NE?

Red Willow County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 6.

🌱

Your Red Willow County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Red Willow County (Zone 6a). 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 Red Willow 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.