When to Seed Edamame
Edamame is a fast-maturing, frost sensitive crop that should be directly seeded into the garden after all danger of frost has passed.
Where to Plant Edamame
Edamame will want a spot with full sun and loose, well-draining soil. They’ll love a spot rich in organic matter, but too much nitrogen can cause plants to produce more leaves than flowers or pods.
Growing Edamame
Plant edamame one inch deep and one to three inches apart, in rows one to two feet apart. Once germinated, they can be thinned to their mature planting distance of three to four inches. Assuming your soil is high quality with well-aged organic matter, you shouldn’t have to apply any kind of fertilizer. Something that can be helpful is to use a legume inoculant. This ensures that legumes will have all of the symbiotic microbes they need. Typically, these microbes are already found in the soil but can be in low numbers if your garden is depleted or has recently been converted from a lawn. Make sure they get at least one inch of water per week.
Harvesting Edamame
Edamame are known for maturing all at once (within a few weeks of each other), rather than pole beans that produce continuously. Plant edamame in successions every two weeks for a continuous harvest. Pick edamame once the seeds inside the pods have matured and are plump.