How to Grow Edamame in Australia
A warm-season fruiting crop for the home garden
Growing Edamame at home is well within reach for most Australian gardeners, and this guide walks you through every step. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$4-6/bag vs frozen supermarket edamame, homegrown fresh edamame is incomparably better.
This guide covers when to plant Edamame in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Edamame is a warm-season crop, frost-tender and needs a frost-free run. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October, November, December, January and February. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
BeSweet
Early-maturing Australian-bred variety with sweet, plump beans. Compact bush, good for smaller gardens.
Try: Green Harvest, Eden Seeds
Midori Giant
Large-podded Japanese variety. Heavy cropper with excellent flavour. The standard edamame.
Try: Eden Seeds, Green Harvest
Position and Soil
Give Edamame full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 25cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 3 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 15 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 10 days, fastest when the soil is between 20 and 30 degrees.
Soybeans for the home garden. Pick pods green when beans are plump but still bright green, before they start to yellow. Warm-season crop that loves SEQ summer heat and humidity. Boil pods in salted water for 5 minutes, then pop beans from shells. Fixes nitrogen in the soil like other legumes. Succession sow every 3-4 weeks for continuous supply.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 6 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Aphids, Pod borer and 28-spotted ladybird. The main diseases to watch are Powdery mildew and Rust. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Edamame is typically ready to harvest in around 80 days (about 3 months). Fridge in pods for 2-3 days. Blanch and freeze for months.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, edamame is good boiled in salted water and eaten from the pod, shelled and added to stir-fries and grain bowls, blended into edamame hummus and tossed into salads and noodle dishes. Nutritionally: complete plant protein with all essential amino acids and rich in isoflavones and antioxidants.
Companion Planting
Edamame grows well alongside Corn, Cucumber and Marigold. Keep it away from Onion, Garlic and Fennel. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Edamame Growing
Add edamame to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Edamame in Australia?
Edamame is a warm-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October, November, December, January and February. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Edamame take to grow?
Edamame is generally ready to harvest in around 80 days (about 3 months).
Can I grow Edamame in a pot?
Yes. Edamame grows well in a container of 25cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Edamame need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Edamame in the Plant Library
