Edamame (Soybean) in Zone 8a & 8b
Glycine max
Yes, edamame (soybean) grows in zones 8a and 8b. Plant it outside Apr 1–Apr 8.
When to plant edamame (soybean) in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b 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.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 1–Apr 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 25–Jul 2 (~85 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of edamame (soybean) in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoApr 8–Apr 15
- Bush BeansApr 1–Apr 8
- CucumberApr 1–Apr 8
- ZucchiniApr 1–Apr 8
- Winter SquashApr 1–Apr 8
- BroccoliniMar 25–Apr 1
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 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Edamame (soybean) needs about 85 days from sowing to first harvest.
Edamame (Soybean) planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Not usually | Jun 6–Jun 13 | Aug 30–Sep 6 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 22–May 29 | Aug 15–Aug 22 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | May 17–May 24 | Aug 10–Aug 17 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | May 2–May 9 | Jul 26–Aug 2 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jul 11–Jul 18 |
| 8a & 8b (your zone) | Not usually | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 25–Jul 2 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Feb 22–Mar 1 | May 18–May 25 |
| 10a & 10bSpring window | Not usually | Mar–Apr | ~85 days after direct-sowing |
| Summer window | Not usually | Aug–Sep | ~85 days after direct-sowing |
Harvest dates are about 85 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
- Sweet Corn: Classic legume/grain pairing. Soybean fixes nitrogen that heavy-feeding corn uses.
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)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Edamame (Soybean) in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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