How to Grow Edamame: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest
Quick answer
Direct sow after frost is past (USU). Space about 2 inches apart, 1½ inches deep, rows 12 to 18 inches (USU). Harvest green, well-filled pods about 70 to 90 days after planting. Not the same crop as lima beans.
Edamame at a glance
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.
Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.
Edamame is vegetable soybean (Glycine max) harvested green — keep separate from lima beans and dry field soy.
Planting timing
Utah State: after frost is past, plant seeds. (USU edamame) Planner: Direct sow last frost 0.
Soybeans (garden / edamame types)
Garden soybeans for edamame share the same warm-season window as this page. NDSU: sow edamame seeds after the last frost in warm soil. (NDSU edamame) UT Gardens: after serious frost threat; soil about 65°F. (UT edamame) MU: wait until soil warms to at least 60°F. (MU edamame) USU: sow after frost when soil is about 60–65°F.
Depth and spacing
USU: about 2 inches apart; about 1½ inches deep; rows 12 to 18 inches apart. Plants grow about bush-bean size (18 to 24 inches tall).
Sun, soil and water
NC State: full sun; good drainage; occasionally dry OK. (NC State Glycine max) USU: keep soil moist until emergence. Legume N-fixation — omit printed NPK rates; prefer soil organic matter and inoculant when needed.
Care
USU notes iron chlorosis (yellow leaves with green veins) on some soils — improve organic matter and drainage; we omit chelate product rates.
Harvest
USU: pick when pods are plump and well filled but still green (before they brown) — about 70 to 90 days after planting.
Pests and diseases
USU: “Edamame has few pests.” NC State lists soybean aphid and stink bugs plus foliar spots that are “probably more of an issue on large soybean farms. The home gardener may not be troubled.” Monitor; no spray by default for typical home plantings.
Related: ZIP planner · organic pest control · lima beans · all grow guides
Frequently asked questions
When do I plant edamame?
Direct sow after frost is past (USU).
Is edamame the same as lima beans?
No — Glycine max vs Phaseolus lunatus. Separate pages.
When do I harvest?
Green, well-filled pods about 70 to 90 days after planting (USU).
More grow guides: All grow guides
Sources
- Utah State University Extension: USU edamame
- NC State Extension: NC State Glycine max