How to Grow Soybeans

Growing soybeans has become increasingly popular with home gardeners.
Soybeans are high in fiber, protein, and nutritious. Soybeans are rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, and C, and contain high levels of Calcium and Iron. Perhaps best of all, they taste good ,too.
Home gardeners find it is easy to grow soybeans. Soybean plants are grown just like any other bush bean, and produce high yields.
Days to Maturity:
Soybean plants require about 85 days to harvest.
Try succession planting, for continuous harvest over several weeks.

Sowing Soybean Seeds:
Plant seeds outdoors after the last frost date for your area. Soil should be warm before planting.

Sow Soybean seeds 2 inches apart, in rows 20" to 24" apart.  If your garden space is limited, plant  the seeds in double rows. Water well after planting, and a second time two to four days later, only if there has been no rain. Side dress the rows with general purpose fertilizer during planting.

How to Grow Soybeans:
Soybean plants are easy to grow. They grow best in full sun and in warm weather. They prefer a rich soil, high in nitrogen. Soil should be kept moist for optimum growth.

Soybean plants grow best in rich soil. Add manure and compost prior to planting. Fertilizer regularly during the growth period.

Harvest soybeans when the pods are full.

Did you know? Soybean plants are rich in nutrients. After the harvest, put plants into the compost pile, or turn them into your soil.

Insects and Pests:
Like other beans, soybeans are susceptible to a variety of insects, most notably beetles. They can be treated with Sevin and many organic repellents.

Rabbits eat the the tender new leaves. If there are rabbits in your area, a rabbit fence is not a nicety, it is a necessity. They will devastate a row of beans in a hurry, eating the tender new leaves. As new ones develop, they will come back for more.

Diseases of Soybeans:
Bacterial and wilt diseases are common among the Bean family. This plant disease arrives with summer heat and humidity. This often occurs just before, or during, the ripening of the crop. Fungicides are recommended in areas of high heat and humidity.

Plant Problems - Diagnosis, causes and cures for many common plant problems.

Hardiness:
Soybeans are not a hardy plant. They are susceptible to cold and frost. Hold off planting until a few days before all danger of frost is past. In the fall, cover the crop on nights when the temperature is expected to go below 40 degrees.

Cooking Soybeans
The beans are edible. The pods are not edible.

Boil bean in lightly salted water for 4-5 minutes to blanch, or 20 minutes to fully cook. Discard the pods after removing the beans.  The beans can be frozen after blanching, then heated in the microwave later, for a quick, nutritious snack.. They can also be canned.