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When to Plant Soybeans in Foster County, ND

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.

Foster County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 143 days.

At an elevation of 895 feet, Foster County receives approximately 27.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Soybeans to ensure they mature before fall.

Foster County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
143 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
143 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Foster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Foster County, ND

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 24 May 24 – Jun 14
Harvest August 16 Aug 16 – Oct 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 4a

📆 Growing Season

143 days in Foster County

Growing Tips for Foster 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 Foster County, ND?

Foster County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Foster County, ND?

Foster County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is September 30.

🌱

Your Foster County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Foster County (Zone 4a). 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 Foster County, ND. 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.