Your First Time Growing Edamame? These Tips Guarantee Tasty Success

The first time I had edamame in a restaurant, I was a little suspicious of those fuzzy green pods. But once I learned how to eat the beans out of the pod, I was sold. Edamame has an earthy, fresh taste, and they’re easy to grow. Sure, you could buy frozen edamame, but as we often say at Sow Right Seeds, everything tastes so much better when it’s picked fresh out of the garden and eaten the same day.

Edamame refers to immature green soybeans that are harvested before they fully ripen. Unlike mature soybeans, which are dried and processed into foods like tofu, tempeh, soy sauce, and soy milk, edamame is enjoyed fresh. It's usually steamed or boiled right in the pod.

Although soybeans have been cultivated for thousands of years, the first documented mention of edamame was in Japan in 1275. In recent decades, edamame has gained popularity in the United States as a healthy snack and appetizer.

What makes edamame special—besides its fresh, earthy flavor—is its impressive nutritional profile. These little green beans are a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. A half-cup of boiled edamame has about 11 grams of protein and 16 mg of isoflavones, plus fiber, folate, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids. [Source: Straight Talk About Soy]

Most soybeans grown in the U.S. are used for animal feed, with 97% of soybean meal going to livestock. [Source: Soy Bean Uses] Growing your own edamame at home lets you enjoy the health benefits of soy—without the processing or the GMO concerns.

At Sow Right Seeds, we offer heirloom, non-GMO edamame seeds so you can grow delicious soybeans the natural way. Edamame is easy to grow, perfect for home gardens or containers, and a great addition to your garden if you’re looking for fresh, plant-based protein.

The plants themselves don’t get that big and can be grown in raised beds and containers. It is best to direct sow bean plants. Succession sow seeds every 3 or 4 weeks so that you have a continual harvest.

If you start edamame seeds indoors, be very gentle with transplanting to avoid disturbing the root system.

Edamame plants are easy to grow from seed. You don't need special germination tips other than these:

• You want warm soil - 65-75ºF. Cold, wet soil can result in seeds that rot instead of sprout.

• Space seeds 4-6 inches apart and plant 1 inch deep.

• Seeds will germinate in 10 to 14 days.

Edamame plants will appreciate sunshine and warm temperatures. The plants will grow 12-16 inches wide and 1-3 feet high.

When growing heirloom edamame, you can let some pods stay on the plant until they fully mature and dry. These dry seeds can be planted in the next growing season.

Plant edamame in full sun. The plants will need a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Less sunlight will result in less bean production.

From the time you plant the seeds until harvest, edamame needs warm soil that drains well. The optimal soil pH is 6 to 6.5.

Give plants enough water so that they continue setting blossoms. Soil should be damp 1 to 2 inches deep, but not overly wet, as this can lead to root rot.

Test your soil, as you may not need additional fertilizer if you have nutrient-rich soil. Edamame plants can fix nitrogen, so if you do apply any fertilizer, use one that is low in nitrogen.

Edamame is ready to harvest about 75 to 90 days after planting, depending on your growing conditions and variety. The key is to pick the pods when the beans are fully formed but still green and tender.

Look for bright green, slightly fuzzy pods where the beans inside are plump and nearly touching each other. Most pods will have three beans, though some may have only one or two. For edamame, don’t wait too long to harvest. If the pods begin to yellow or dry, the beans will lose their sweet, fresh flavor and become tougher and starchier.

To harvest, use scissors or garden snips to clip off the pods, or use both hands—one to hold the stem and the other to gently pull the pod. This prevents accidentally pulling off an entire branch, especially when the plant is still producing more pods.

If you planted in succession, be sure to check plants every couple of days during the peak harvest window. Pods tend to ripen quickly in warm weather, so regular harvesting ensures you don’t miss the sweet spot.

Edamame plants are generally easygoing, but like all garden crops, they’re not immune to pests and diseases. Here are the most common issues to watch out for and how to stop them early.

Aphids

Tiny green or black insects that cluster on stems and leaves, sucking sap and weakening your plant.

What to do: Check plants frequently and use natural methods to control aphids.

Bean Beetles

Look for yellow-orange beetles with black spots or their larvae feeding on leaves.

What to do: Hand-pick beetles, use row covers or apply neem oil as needed.

Bean Rust

This fungal disease shows up as reddish-orange powdery spots on leaves. It spreads from airborne spores and thrives in warm, humid conditions.

What to do: If caught early, you can remove leaves and apply a fungicide. Avoid overhead watering.

Powdery Mildew

Look for a white, powdery coating on the leaves. When most of the leaves are covered, this can stunt plant growth.

What to do: Water at the base, avoid overhead watering, and space plants to increase airflow.

Anthracnose Blight

Dark, sunken spots on stems, leaves, or pods can spread quickly in wet conditions.

What to do: Remove infected plant materials and apply a copper-based fungicide.

Root Rot

Caused by overly wet soil and poor drainage. Root rot leads to wilted, yellow plants.

Control: Plant in well-draining soil and avoid overwatering.

Prevention Tips:

• Use well-draining soil and avoid overwatering.

• Water at the base of the plant to keep leaves dry.

• Rotate crops each season to prevent soil-borne diseases.

• Plant in full sun for strong, healthy growth.

• Ensure your garden has good airflow.

• Inspect plants regularly to catch problems early.

It’s always a good gardening practice to watch for pests and diseases so you can take action before your plants are destroyed. For more on how to identify and treat garden diseases, check out our complete guide here: Common Garden Diseases and How to Fight Them

Don’t miss out on growing your own delicious, protein-packed edamame at home. This easy-to-grow soybean is perfect for beginners. With minimal care, it can be grown in a large garden plot or patio container. You’ll love the fresh taste of homegrown heirloom edamame.