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When to Plant Edamame in Franklin County, NY

Franklin County, New York Zone 4b May

May in the garden — Franklin County, New York

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Franklin County, New York this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 18
Avg. first frost September 27
Soil temp (4") 55°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.6 hrs
Before June arrives, get these ready
  • Direct-sowing: 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.

Franklin County, New York is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 132 days.

At an elevation of 739 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 47.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Edamame to ensure they mature before fall.

Franklin County, NY (Zone 4b) Short season
132 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
132 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Sep 28

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 Franklin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.8–6.5) is more acidic than Edamame prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Edamame.

How to Plant Edamame

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.9" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 3.5" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Franklin 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 ~1,006 GDD — county provides 1,518 GDD Excellent fit

Edamame Planting Timeline — Franklin County, NY

Edamame Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 1 Jun 1 – Jun 22
Harvest August 17 Aug 17 – Sep 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

75–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

132 days in Franklin County

Growing Tips for Edamame in Franklin County

Direct sow Edamame outdoors after May 18 in Franklin 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 Franklin County, NY?

Franklin County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Edamame planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, NY?

Franklin County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is September 27.

🌱

Your Franklin County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Franklin 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.

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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 Franklin County, NY. 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.