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How to Grow
Edamame
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Time of Planting: |
Allow soils to thoroughly warm up to 55-60 degrees F prior to
planting. Edamame seed do not germinate in cool soils so wait to
plant for best success.
DO NOT PRESOAK
EDAMAME SEED. |
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Planting Depth: |
1 inch |
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Seed Spacing: |
2"-3" apart within rows. A 200-seed packet plants about 40 feet of row whereas one pound of seed plants about 200-250 feet of row. If planting an acre of edamame, plant 75 lb of Midori Giant or Korean Black (they have large seed); or 60 lbs of Sunrise and MoJo Green, or 50 lbs of Bellesoy. You want about 100,000 plants per acre. |
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Row Spacing: |
20"-36" apart.
Edamame seed do not grow well when drilled in ultra narrow rows
(3-10" rows). |
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Fertility: |
40 units
of N. Soybeans are legumes and make the rest of the nitrogen they
need.
Apply P and K according to soil test results. |
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Chemicals: |
The chemicals approved for weed and pest control for edamame soybeans are very limited because virtually no residue testing has been conducted on edamame. We recommend cultural and mechanical practices or organic production of edamame to control weeds and pests. |
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Inoculation: |
If planting
edamame soybeans in land not previously planted to soybeans,
inoculate your soybeans to ensure that they can produce their own
nitrogen. We sell small packets of soybean inoculant for you to coat
the seed prior to planting. |
| Edamame Seed are
Fragile... |
Seed are alive. Remember to handle
edamame seed with care. Store in a cool dry place until planting and
avoid seed cracking by using the correct size seed plate (corn
plates work well). |
| Yield: |
Yield varies with your planting conditions and weather during the season. However, an average yield is .5 lb of pods per plant. If you are growing larger quantities, customers average 2.5 - 3 tons of edamame pods per acre. The yield of shelled edamame is about half the volume of edamame in the pod. |
Extending Your
Harvest
Extend your edamame
harvest by planting varieties of different maturities or by planting the
same variety in weekly successions for 4-6 weeks. Consult our
MAP to see what varieties are
appropriate for your area.
Example 1: New
York Farm or Garden
Sow seeds of Midori Giant, MoJo Green,
and Sunrise when
the soils have warmed to 55 degrees F. Plant more seeds of both
varieties at weekly intervals for 4-6 weeks. In this way you
and your customers can have fresh edamame available for a longer
period. Freeze extra edamame for off-season enjoyment.
Example 2: South
Carolina Farm or Garden
Sow seed of Midori Giant, MoJo Green, and Sunrise the first week in April in crop tunnels. By the end of April/early May, all six of our varieties can be planted at the same time. Then plant them all again at 2 week intervals until late June. This staggering of varieties and timing will ensure a continuous supply of edamame.
When to Harvest
Harvest edamame when
the beans in the pod are 80-90% expanded
or when the leaves
have changed from bright green to a slight yellowish-green color.
Handpick pods with at least
two beans per pod and select pods which are only bright green in color.
Avoid picking any yellowish or blemished pods. Wash pods to remove any
soil. Pods can be refrigerated for up to 7-10 days or blanch them for
2-3 minutes in boiling water and freeze them in a single layer. After
pods are frozen, store them in plastic bags in your freezer for later
eating throughout the winter.
Special Selling
Tips
When selling at a
farmer’s market, small grocery, or if you have a CSA, cook some edamame
for your customers to taste. Boil or steam them in hot water until pods
are easy to pop open (about 4-5 minutes), then sprinkle the pods
generously with salt,
seasoned salt, or blackening spices
so that when you pop the beans out into your mouth, you’ll taste the
salt or spices too. Remember: eat the beans, not the pods!
Sell edamame either
(1) loose by the pound in the pod, (2) shelled out of the pod to use in
stir fries or pasta dishes, or (3) try this traditional Japanese
method. Cut several plants off at the soil surface, remove the
leaves, but leave the pods on the plant. Bundle 3-4 plants together for
an edible bouquet! What a wonderful, healthy, and unique
housewarming gift.
Bringing new niche products to
you with knowledge and experience
P.O. Box 484
St. Matthews, South Carolina 29135
803-874-1381 (office/fax)
maryjo@wannamakerseeds.com
info@edamameseed.com
©
Copyright 2009 Wannamaker Seeds, Inc. All
Rights Reserved.
No part of this
site, including photographs may be reproduced without permission.
Site updated - March 2010
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