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How to Grow Edamame

Glycine max

Tender Warm Season Single Harvest

When to Start

Start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 10°C and soil has warmed to at least 15°C.

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Growth Stages

Sow seeds
Germination ~10d
Flowering ~55d
Fruiting ~70d
Harvest ~95d

Approximate days from start

Care Essentials

  • Rarely needed — edamame fix their own nitrogen. A light compost mulch at planting is sufficient.
  • Needs warm soil to germinate well. Sow after last frost when soil is reliably above 15°C. Short-day varieties set pods more reliably in UK conditions.

Companion Planting

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Growing Conditions

Min. soil temperature: 15°C+
Germination temperature: 15–30°C

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Spacing & Planting

Plant spacing 15 cm
Row spacing 60 cm
Sow depth 3 cm
Mature height 60 cm
Mature spread 30 cm

Plant in blocks or double rows for better pollination and wind support.

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Care Guide

Feeding
Rarely needed — edamame fix their own nitrogen. A light compost mulch at planting is sufficient.
Watch for
  • Aphids
  • Slugs on young plants
  • Birds pulling seedlings
  • Mexican bean beetle

Pests & Diseases

Pest Aphids

Identification: Clusters of green or black insects on shoot tips and leaf undersides

Organic treatment:
  • Spray with water to dislodge
  • Encourage ladybirds and lacewings
Chemical treatment:
  • Fatty acid sprays
Pest Slugs and Snails

Identification: Irregular holes in leaves, slime trails, seedlings eaten at ground level

Organic treatment:
  • Beer traps
  • Copper tape around pots
  • Evening patrols
Chemical treatment:
  • Ferric phosphate pellets
Disease Downy Mildew Peronospora manshurica

Symptoms: Yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces with grey-purple fuzzy growth underneath

Treatment: Remove affected leaves. Improve air circulation.

Prevention: Good spacing. Avoid overhead watering. Rotate crops.

Growing Conditions

Min. soil temperature15°C
Germination temperature15–30°C
Base growth temperature10°C
Min. daylength to start12h
Photoperiod sensitivityshort day

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Edamame?
Plant Edamame 15cm apart with 60cm between rows.
When can I harvest Edamame?
Edamame is ready to harvest approximately 75 days after transplanting.
Is Edamame frost hardy?
Edamame is classified as Tender.

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