Edamame
Glycine max
Also known asVegetable soybean · Soybean (mature dried form) · Mao dou · Maamekong
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates. Strict on light; outside the DLI band, yields drop sharply.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 3–11 (winter low around -40°C)
- Frost
- frost sensitive (dies at first frost)
- Season
- warm (summer, frost-sensitive)
Growing systems
Root mass: moderate.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| vegetative | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1.4 |
| flowering | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1.6 |
| fruiting | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1.8 |
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible
Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth. Supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
A warm-season legume for hydroponic or aquaponic media bed systems. EC 1.5-2.5 mS/cm. pH 6.0-7.0. Temperature: 20–30°C (warm-season crop; frost kills the plant, and cool temperatures below 15°C slow growth significantly). Moderate to high light (DLI 16-22 mol/m2/day). Direct seed into media beds or large containers. As a legume, soybeans fix nitrogen through root nodules (Bradyrhizobium japonicum), but the bacteria may be absent in sterile hydroponic media. Inoculate seeds with soybean-specific inoculant before planting, or rely on nitrogen from the nutrient solution. From seed to edamame harvest: 75-90 days. Harvest when pods are plump, bright green, and beans fill the pod without hardening. The harvest window is narrow (about 1-2 weeks); after that, seeds begin drying and the edamame stage is past. Blanch harvested pods in boiling salted water for 4-5 minutes, then cool quickly. Frozen edamame stores for 6+ months. Each plant produces 50-100 pods. Bush varieties ('Midori Giant', 'Sayamusume') are more practical for confined growing spaces than tall, vining types.
Notable varieties
| Cultivar | Type | Origin | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Envy | open pollinated | 75 | Very early variety (75 days). The variety to grow in zone 4-5 short summers. Smaller pods, decent flavor. | |
| Midori Giant | open pollinated | 80 | Japanese-bred standard variety. Large pods, excellent fresh flavor. The default home garden edamame. | |
| Be Sweet 292 | open pollinated | Johnny's Selected Seeds | 90 | Mid-season, very sweet. Productive. The variety US restaurants and commercial growers prefer. |