GROWING GUIDE - SOY BEANS

Looking to grow beautiful, healthy soybeans in your garden? This guide covers planting, watering, feeding, harvesting, and simple cooking tips so you can enjoy tender, delicious pods (edamame-style) at home.

QUICK FACTS

• Sun: Full sun
• Planting: Sow outdoors about 1 week after the last frost
• Soil: Light, fertile, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter
• Spacing: Sow 1 in. deep; space about 8 in. apart; rows about 30 in. apart
• Support: No staking required
• Suitable for Canadian growing conditions
• Follow package instructions for best results
• Contact T&T Seeds for personalized growing advice

SOY BEAN PLANTING & CARE

Soybeans are a nutritious garden crop that can be harvested as tender green beans (edamame-style) or left longer for mature beans. Boiled and lightly salted, they make a simple, protein-rich snack.

GROWING

Variety note: Early Hakucho is a compact, dwarf plant (about 1 ft. tall) that sets pods in a concentrated way, making harvest easier.

• Planting: Sow directly outdoors about 1 week after the last frost, once soil has warmed.
• Soil: Use light, well-drained soil with added compost or other organic matter.
• Depth & spacing: Plant seeds about 1 in. deep, 8 in. apart, with rows spaced about 30 in. apart.
• Watering: Water thoroughly after planting and keep moisture consistent—especially during flowering and pod fill. Avoid letting soil dry out completely.

FERTILIZING

Soybeans fix nitrogen naturally, so avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizers—too much nitrogen can delay flowering and pod development. If your soil is poor, incorporate compost at planting time and use a light, balanced organic vegetable fertilizer early in growth.

A small amount of potassium can support overall plant health, but avoid over-fertilizing. (If you amend, follow product label directions.)

HARVESTING

Harvest when pods are plump and seeds inside are well-formed and nearly touching. Pods will look slightly bulged when ready. For concentrated varieties, you can pull up the entire plant and strip pods for quick harvest.

COOKING & STORAGE

How to cook: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Boil whole pods until tender, drain, cool slightly, and sprinkle with sea salt.

Eat by popping the beans out of the pod. Shelled beans are great in salads, stir-fries, and bowls for a buttery flavour and firm texture.

Storage: Soybeans freeze well. Blanch briefly, cool, and freeze for later use.

READY TO START GROWING?

Browse our selection of high-quality soybean seeds and get everything you need to start your garden today!

Shop now at T&T Seeds for the best selection of plants, seeds, and gardening supplies.

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