Edamame
Chiba Green Soybean is an open-pollinated vegetable soybean that matures in just 82 days, making it one of the faster varieties you can grow in zones 3 through 11. This upright, determinate plant produces tender green beans ideal for fresh eating or light cooking, and it thrives in moderate watering conditions with well-balanced soil. Johnny's Selected Seeds offers this high-quality organic cultivar, and it's earned a reputation among gardeners who appreciate straightforward, reliable growing without the complexity of hybrid varieties.
6-12 inches apart
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Moderate
3-11
?in H x ?in W
Annual
High
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The upright growth habit makes this variety exceptionally easy to cultivate and harvest compared to sprawling soybean types. At 82 days to maturity, Chiba Green reaches readiness quickly enough to fit into most growing seasons, even in cooler hardiness zones. The beans develop on plants that stay compact and manageable, reducing the need for staking or trellising while delivering consistent yields in average garden soil.
Chiba Green Soybean is grown primarily for fresh consumption of the young green pods, which can be steamed, boiled, or added to stir-fries. The tender beans inside are eaten directly from the pod or shelled for use in salads and vegetable dishes. Some gardeners also allow pods to mature fully and dry the beans for storage and winter use.
Plant 2 inches apart, 1 inch deep, in rows 15 to 30 inches apart after the last frost date. Soil temperature should be between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for reliable germination.
Harvest Chiba Green Soybean pods when they are full and tender but still green, typically around 82 days from planting. Pick pods by hand, gently snapping them from the vine. The beans are best eaten fresh when the pods are plump and the beans inside are still bright green and tender.
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