How to grow Edamame in New Zealand
Edamame are soybeans (Glycine max) picked while the pods are plump and green, then boiled and popped from their shells as a snack. Soybeans are a protein-rich, frost-tender summer legume that fixes nitrogen in the soil like other beans. Sow directly once the soil is warm, and pick the whole crop within a short window before the pods yellow.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Edamame in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | September to December | |
| Auckland | September to December | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | October to December | Sow from October, once the inland frosts are over in late September. Warm coastal Bay of Plenty gardens can start a few weeks earlier under cover. |
| Central North Island | November and December | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | October to December | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | October to December | |
| Canterbury | November and December | |
| Otago & Southland | November and December | |
| Central Otago | December |
Not to be confused with: Beans (bush), the green bean grown for its whole pods, which is sown at the same time and grown in much the same way.
Where to plant
Sow edamame in full sun in warm, well-drained soil. It is frost tender and seed rots in cold, wet soil, so wait until the soil has warmed in spring. Like other legumes it fixes its own nitrogen, so it needs no rich fertiliser.
- Northland and Auckland: sow directly from September to December once the soil warms, and succession sow every few weeks.
- Waikato and Bay of Plenty: sow from October, once inland frosts are over; warm coastal gardens can start a few weeks earlier under cover.
- Wellington and Nelson and Marlborough: sow from October to December.
- Central North Island, Canterbury, and Otago and Southland: sow in November or December.
- Central Otago: sow in December. Choose an early variety so pods fill before autumn.
Choosing a variety
- BeSweet: an early, sweet soybean with plump green pods, a good home garden cropper.
- Midori Giant: large-podded soybean with full beans and good flavour.
- General soybean seed can be picked green as edamame or left to dry for mature soybeans.
How to plant
- Rake the bed; no fertiliser is needed in reasonable soil.
- Sow seed directly about 2.5 cm deep, 10 to 15 cm apart, in rows 45 cm apart.
- Water in, then keep the soil just moist rather than soggy until seedlings appear in 7 to 14 days.
- Mulch once the plants are up.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist, especially once the plants are flowering and the pods are filling, as dry spells reduce the crop. Edamame needs little feeding.
Pruning and care through the year
- Sow a new patch every few weeks in warm areas for a longer harvest, as each sowing ripens all at once.
- At the end of the season, dig the plants in or compost them to return their nitrogen to the soil.
Harvesting
Harvest when the pods are plump, firm and bright green, before they start to yellow, usually 65 to 80 days after sowing. The pods ripen over a short window, so you can pull up the whole plant and strip the pods.
Boil the pods in salted water for about five minutes, then pop the beans out of the shells. Fresh pods keep 2 to 3 days in the fridge; blanched edamame freezes for months.
Growing in pots
Edamame can be grown in a pot at least 25 cm wide and deep, in full sun. Sow several seeds per pot and keep the mix evenly moist.
Using it
Serve boiled pods sprinkled with salt as a snack, squeezing the beans out with your teeth, or shell the beans for salads, stir-fries, dips and rice dishes. Do not eat soybeans raw.
Companion planting
Edamame is a nitrogen-fixing legume that fits into a summer bed.
Good companions
- Corn Likes the same warm conditions and benefits from the nitrogen beans add.
- Cucumber Another summer crop with similar warmth and water needs.
- Marigold Brings beneficial insects to the bed.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to edamame.
Pests and diseases
Edamame has few problems, though green vegetable bugs can damage the pods in late summer.
Pests to watch for
- Green vegetable bug Green shield-shaped bugs on pods, which become marked and poorly filled.
- Aphids Clusters of small insects on new growth.
- Slugs Seedlings chewed off as they emerge.
Diseases to watch for
- Powdery mildew White powdery coating on leaves late in the season.
- Rust Small rusty pustules on the undersides of leaves.
Common questions
What is edamame?
Young green soybeans, picked while the pods are plump and bright green, boiled in the pod and eaten as a snack.
When do I sow edamame in New Zealand?
Once the soil is warm: from September in Northland and Auckland, October in Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Nelson, and November or December further south.
When are edamame ready to pick?
When the pods are plump, firm and bright green, before they yellow, usually 65 to 80 days after sowing.
How do I cook edamame?
Boil the pods in salted water for about five minutes, drain, then pop the beans out of the shells. Do not eat soybeans raw.
Can I grow edamame in a pot?
Yes, in a pot at least 25 cm wide and deep in full sun, kept evenly moist.
Sources we checked: Kings Seeds: Soybean; Yates NZ: How to grow beans.