🫘 Soybean: Growing Guide
Soybean (Glycine max) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 15–35 °C (59–95 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–6.8. Space plants about 10 cm (3.9 in) apart. Expect 75–150 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Glycine max |
|---|---|
| Category | Legumes |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 10 cm (3.9 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–6.8 |
| Comfortable temperature | 15–35 °C (59–95 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 75–150 days |
| Sowing depth | 3 cm (1.2 in) |
| Height | 30–90 cm (12–35 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Continental | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||||
| Tropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: May · Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: May · Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan, Aug · Plant out: Feb, Sep · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Oct.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Sow: Jan, Jul · Plant out: Feb, Aug · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: Jun · Plant out: Jul · Harvest: Aug.
Watering
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 8 days in winter. Regular watering.
Growing tips
Edamame: young pods. Rich in protein. Fixes nitrogen.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Soybean: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: May · Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: May · Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
Soybean: how often should I water it?
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 8 days in winter. Regular watering.
Soybean: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 10 cm (3.9 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 3 cm (1.2 in).
Soybean: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 75–150 days.
Soybean: which plants grow well with it?
Spinach, Corn.
Soybean: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Nematodes, Powdery mildew.
Plan your garden
Add Soybean to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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