Growing Soybeans:
Soybean Planting Done Organically

Growing soybeans is not that difficult for most gardeners as it’s a hearty, resilient plant. They can be grown in partial shade, but full sunlight and even watering will ensure the highest yields.

• Soybean Planting
• Growing Soybeans
• Harvesting Soybeans
• Storing Soybeans and/or Freezing Soybeans
• Pests & Diseases
• YOUR Advice, Experiences and Photos

Soybean Planting

Soybeans grow best in full sun and in loose, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter, but they can also tolerate poor soil (hence their frequent use as a cover crop).

It is best to plant the seeds when the soil temperature is between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (13 and 16 C) (but no sooner than the last frost date) as warmer temperatures lead to higher germination rates. Higher germination rates will give the seeds a better chance of avoiding diseases.

If you don’t want to take your soil’s temperature, having consistent daytime air temperatures in the 70’s (21.7 degrees Celsius) is generally a good time to plant.

Keep the seeds consistently watered until the seedlings sprout.

Growing Soybeans: From Germination to Pre-Harvest

Water your soybeans at their base throughout their growth to prevent disease and plant damage.

Add organic mulch when soil temperatures increase above 65 degrees F (18 C) to retain moisture and smother out garden weed growth, and introduce a couple inches of compost about half way through their growing season.

Growing Soybeans: Harvesting Time

If you plant to shell and use your soybeans fresh, you can harvest them about 50 to 60 days after planting.

Dry soybeans, on the other hand, require at least three months in the ground. For dry soybeans, pull the entire plant out of the ground and hang it upside-down to dry. You can shell beans as soon as the pods are completely dry.

Storing Soybeans and Freezing Soybeans

Fresh soybeans stored in ideal conditions (see snapshot box below) will keep for up to a week or more. You can also freeze, can or dry them for a much longer storage life (up to one year).

Growing Soybeans: Pests & Diseases

The following pests and diseases have been known to affect the success of growing Soybeans. For more information about preventing and controlling them, see Organic Garden Pest Control.

Pests

Aphids Armyworms Bean weevils Corn earworm Cucumber beetles Cutworms Darkling beetles Earwigs

Grasshoppers Leafhoppers Leafminers Loopers Lycaenid pod borers Lygus bugs Nematodes

Saltmarsh caterpillar Seedcom maggots Snails/slugs Spider mites Stink bugs Thrips Whiteflies Wireworms

Diseases

Bean rust Curly top Damping off Fusarium root rot

Mosaic viruses Powdery mildew White mold

YOUR Experience & Advice About Growing Soybeans

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