Legumes · Moderate
Edamame (green soybean)
Glycine max
Tub of growing medium or NFT, warm and in full sun in summer, harvest the pods when bright green and full.
- EC (mS/cm)
- n/a
- pH
- n/a
- Cycle
- long
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Sound origin
Glycine max
The soybean (Glycine max) was domesticated in East Asia in the Neolithic, 5000 to 9000 years ago. Harvested young and green, it becomes Chinese maodou or Japanese edamame.
Source: Wikipedia
What it provides nutrients
Per 100 g, raw · Green soybean (edamame), raw
- Rich in vitamin C
- Rich in vitamin B9
- Rich in potassium
- Source of calcium
- Source of iron
- Source of magnesium
- Source of fiber
% of an adult’s reference intake (EU Regulation 1169/2011). “Source of”: at least 15 % per 100 g, “high in”: at least 30 % (thresholds of EC Regulation 1924/2006).
Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy no. 169282 (not in the Ciqual table)
Key steps
- Grown in NFT by NASA at the Kennedy Space Center for its research on space agriculture (Wheeler et al.).
- Sow warm: at least 18 °C (64 °F) in the growing medium, sprouting in 1 to 2 weeks (Virginia Tech); indoors in April, outdoors after the frosts.
- An upright, sturdy plant about 90 cm tall, no stake needed (University of Minnesota): ideal in a tub of growing medium or a wide NFT channel.
- Harvest 25 to 30 days after the pods form, when the seeds fill 85 to 90% of the still bright green pod (Virginia Tech).
- A short window of 7 to 10 days, after which the beans turn mealy; pick early in the morning and refrigerate right away (Virginia Tech).
- Always cook: raw soybeans are not edible (University of Minnesota).
In which system?
| Tower | NFT | Growing medium | Kratky |
|---|---|---|---|
Approximate calendar
| Sowing | Apr., May |
| Plants | May, June |
| Harvest | Aug., Sept. |
Garden, patio, balcony: Belgian and northern French climate, earlier farther south. Estimates to adjust with your own dates.
Frequently asked questions
Edamame (green soybean) in hydroponics: what pH?
No specific range is published for this crop in the Oklahoma State table: we do not force an unverified figure. Start from the common range of 5.5–7.0 and write down your results.
Edamame (green soybean) in hydroponics: what EC?
Oklahoma State has published no value for this crop. Start low, watch the growth and record your measurements in a log.
Edamame (green soybean): which hydroponic system?
Best suited: growing medium (Dutch bucket). Growing medium tub or NFT, warm and in full sun in summer, pods harvested bright green and full.
Edamame (green soybean): when to sow in Belgium?
Indicative window for a garden, patio or balcony in Belgium or northern France: April and May. Adjust with your own dates.
- R. M. Wheeler et al., NASA Kennedy Space Center, Biomass Production Chamber
- Li et al., Virginia Tech, Edamame in Virginia II, SPES-455, 2023
- University of Minnesota Extension, Growing beans