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When to Plant Soybeans in Unity, OR

Unity, OR Zone 6b June

June to-do list for Unity, OR

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Unity, OR.

Avg. last frost May 30
Avg. first frost September 12
Soil temp (4") 66°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.4 hrs
  1. Scatter soybeans into prepared beds

    Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.

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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.

Unity, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and the first fall frost is September 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 105 days.

At an elevation of 1,398 feet, Baker County receives approximately 16.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Soybeans during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Soybeans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Unity, OR (Zone 6b) Short season
105 days
Last Spring Frost May 30
105 growing days
First Fall Frost September 12

Unity Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Soybeans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 6
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Oct 17
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 19 🍅 Harvest: Sep 11 – Nov 6

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 Unity

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.5) is more acidic than Soybeans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Soybeans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Soybeans will thrive.

How to Plant Soybeans

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

Soybeans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 583 gal / 100 sq ft

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 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.3" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Soybeans 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.

Soybeans needs ~1,450 GDD — county provides 1,522 GDD Good fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Unity, OR

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 6 Jun 6 – Jun 27
Harvest August 29 Aug 29 – Oct 24

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 Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

105 days in Baker County

Growing Tips for Soybeans in Unity

Direct sow Soybeans outdoors after May 30 in Baker County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 105.0-day growing season in Baker County is tight for Soybeans (80.0-120.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Common pests for Soybeans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Baker County receives only 17" of rain annually. Soybeans needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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 →

🌱

Your Baker County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Baker County (Zone 6b). 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 Baker County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.