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When to Plant Edamame in Duval County, TX

Duval County, Texas Zone 9b May

May to-do list for Duval County, Texas

Welcome to May in Zone 9b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost February 13
Avg. first frost December 9
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs
  1. Harvest edamame as they ripen

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

Get ahead of June
  • First harvests: 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.

Duval County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 299 days.

At an elevation of 4,259 feet, Duval County receives approximately 55.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 102°F, so Edamame may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Edamame root diseases.

Duval County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
299 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
299 growing days
First Fall Frost December 9

Duval County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (195 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 7 – May 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (180 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jun 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 5

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 Duval County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.3) is more alkaline than Edamame prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Edamame.

How to Plant Edamame

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

Succession Planting Edamame

4
successive plantings in your 299-day season

Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 31 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 340 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.9" 1.7" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 3.9" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.9" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.9" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 8.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.9" 1.9" 2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 3.9" 1.6" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Duval 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 ~2,319 GDD — county provides 7,950 GDD Excellent fit

Edamame Planting Timeline — Duval County, TX

Edamame Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 13
Harvest May 8 May 8 – Jun 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

75–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

299 days in Duval County

Growing Tips for Edamame in Duval County

Direct sow Edamame outdoors after February 13 in Duval County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 102°F in Duval County, provide afternoon shade for Edamame and water deeply in the morning.

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 Duval County, TX?

Duval County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Edamame planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Duval County, TX?

Duval County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 9.

🌱

Your Duval County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Duval County (Zone 9b). 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 Duval County, TX. 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.