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Health conscious gardeners are increasingly growing soybeans.Warm weather, easy to grow soybean plants are native to Africa, Asia, and Australia. Soybeans are high in fiber and protein, and are a good source of calcium.

Home gardeners find it is easy to grow soybeans. They are grown just like any other bush bean, and produce high yields.

Days to Maturity:

Plants require about 85 days to harvest. Try succession planting for continuous harvest over several weeks.

Sowing Soybean Seeds:

Plant 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 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. For optimal growth, keep soil evenly moist.

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. Rinse the pods, then boil them for twenty minutes. Allow to cool, then squeeze the pods to remove the beans. Beans can be frozen or canned.

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

Insects and Pests:

Like other beans, soybeans are susceptible to a variety of insects, most notably beetles. They can be effectively treated with Sevin, Diazinon or a variety of other insecticides.

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.

Hardiness:

Soybeans plants 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.

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