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When to Plant Soybeans in Grant County, WA

Grant County, Washington Zone 7a July

This month in Grant County, Washington

July rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Grant County, Washington.

Avg. last frost April 29
Avg. first frost October 10
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.4 hrs
  1. Collect soybeans at their peak

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

August will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: soybeans

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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.

Grant County, Washington is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 164 days.

At an elevation of 3,122 feet, Grant County receives approximately 17.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°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.

Grant County, WA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
164 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
164 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Soybeans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 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 Grant County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.8) overlaps with Soybeans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.7%) — Soybeans will thrive.

How to Plant Soybeans

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

Succession Planting Soybeans

2
successive plantings in your 164-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 12 to harvest before frost.

Soybeans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 802 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 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.7" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Grant 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 ~1,825 GDD — county provides 2,993 GDD Excellent fit

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Grant County, WA

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 – May 27
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 – Sep 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Direct Sow
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

164 days in Grant County

Growing Tips for Soybeans in Grant County

Direct sow Soybeans outdoors after April 29 in Grant County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Grant County receives only 18" 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Soybeans in Grant County, WA?

Grant County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, WA?

Grant County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 10.

🌱

Your Grant County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Grant County (Zone 7a). 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 Grant County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.