Seeds – Butterbean Edamame OG (F) Fruition

Latin Name: Phaseolus vulgaris
Main Uses: Ideal for edamame (Japanese style), fresh beans similar to lima beans, or dried beans.

Days to Maturity: 68 days
Exposure: Full sun
Height: Plants average 40-43 cm (16-17”) and are well-branched, tall and sturdy.
Flower Color: Mauve
Certified Organic: USDA Certified Organic

Germination: During germination, the seeds can be extra-sensitive to soil water levels, therefore soaking seeds is NOT a good idea. Soybean seeds are known to rot in waterlogged soils. Allow soils to thoroughly warm up to 21 – 25˚C prior to planting (use black bio-film over the soil to warm it up faster). Edamame seeds do not germinate in cool soils.

Planting Depth: 2.25 cm (1“)
Seed Spacing: 5-8 cm (2-3″) apart within rows.
Row Spacing: 50-90 cm (20-36″) apart. Soybeans require a lot of space for good yields.

Growing in Containers: Ideal for raised beds or extra large pots but soybeans will not yield in average pots. 

Fertilizing (Garden): Plant in a garden bed recently amended with quality compost. No additional fertilizing is required.

Watering (Garden): Water young plants regularly to establish. Mature plants will benefit from deep watering once per week. 

Special Requirements for Cold Climate Gardeners: Soybeans do not like cold conditions so avoid planting out before the soil has warmed o at least 21˚C.

Harvesting: Edamame is harvested when pods are fresh, plum and vivid green. Soybeans are determinate, meaning that most of the beans will ripen at one time. The pods can also be left on the plant to harvest dry beans; in this case wait until 90% of leaves have fallen at which point the plants can be cut down and hung to dry in a sheltered, well-ventilated location until pods are fully cured (less than 9% moisture content). 

Suitability for Indoors: Not suited for indoors.