Edamame (Soybean) in Zone 10a & 10b

Glycine max

Yes, edamame (soybean) grows in zones 10a and 10b. Plant it outside in Mar–Apr.

When to plant edamame (soybean) in zone 10b

Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.

Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.

WindowSpring window
Start indoorsNot typically started indoors
Direct sow / transplant outsideMar–Apr
Estimated harvest~85 days after direct-sowing
WindowSummer window
Start indoorsNot typically started indoors
Direct sow / transplant outsideAug–Sep
Estimated harvest~85 days after direct-sowing

Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.

Zone 10b dates sourced from growinginthegarden.com.

Plant alongside it in zone 10b

These go outside within two weeks of edamame (soybean) in zone 10b, so one planting day can cover them.

Edamame (Soybean)
Photo: Hiro zip post via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped.

Edamame is a soybean harvested young, while the pods are still green and the beans inside are tender rather than dried and hard. It behaves like other legumes in the garden but has one important difference at the kitchen counter: unlike green beans, edamame pods need to be cooked before eating.

How edamame (soybean) fits zone 10's season

Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Edamame (soybean) needs about 85 days from sowing to first harvest.

Edamame (Soybean) planting windows in every zone

Zone 10b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.

ZoneStart indoorsSow or plant outHarvest
3a & 3bNot usuallyJun 6–Jun 13Aug 30–Sep 6
4a & 4bNot usuallyMay 22–May 29Aug 15–Aug 22
5a & 5bNot usuallyMay 17–May 24Aug 10–Aug 17
6a & 6bNot usuallyMay 2–May 9Jul 26–Aug 2
7a & 7bNot usuallyApr 17–Apr 24Jul 11–Jul 18
8a & 8bNot usuallyApr 1–Apr 8Jun 25–Jul 2
9a & 9bNot usuallyFeb 22–Mar 1May 18–May 25
10a & 10bSpring window (your zone)Not usuallyMar–Apr~85 days after direct-sowing
Summer windowNot usuallyAug–Sep~85 days after direct-sowing

Harvest dates are about 85 days after the sow or plant-out date.

Good companions

Where to buy edamame seeds

None of the seed suppliers we list carries edamame seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.

See why we recommend these suppliers →

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See it growing

Search YouTube for "growing edamame (soybean)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)

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Growing Edamame (Soybean) in USDA zone 10b

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Growing Edamame (Soybean) in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.

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