VegetableBean
Karikachi #3 Edamame Soybean
Karikachi #3 is an heirloom edamame soybean that delivers the sweet, nutty flavor Japanese cooks have prized for generations. This open-pollinated variety reaches 24-36 inches tall with a compact, bushy growth habit, producing generous yields of tender beans ready to harvest in just 70-79 days. Hardy in zones 3-9, it grows vigorously in containers, raised beds, or garden plots, making it accessible to gardeners across most of North America.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam; Prefers Neutral To Slightly Alkaline
Growth Stats
36 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
8
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-9
Size
36in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The defining strength of Karikachi #3 is its combination of exceptional flavor and reliable productivity. A high-yielding heirloom, it produces abundant pods packed with sweet beans that capture the delicate, nutty character edamame lovers seek. Its compact, upright growth fits easily into diverse garden spaces, and the relatively quick maturity means you can harvest fresh edamame within 10-11 weeks of planting.
Common Uses
This soybean excels at one specific, beloved purpose: creating true edamame. Pick the pods when they are still bright green and tender, then boil briefly and salt generously. The beans slip easily from the pod, revealing a creamy interior with that signature sweet, nutty depth that distinguishes quality edamame from more neutral soybean varieties. Some gardeners also dry mature seeds for cooking as a traditional legume.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds into the garden after the last spring frost when soil has warmed to at least 60°F. Plant seeds 1 inch deep, spacing them 8 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart. Soybeans germinate reliably from direct sowing and do not require indoor seed starting.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting pods when they are still bright green and tender, typically 70-79 days after planting. Pick individual pods or strip entire branches by hand when beans inside feel plump and snap gently with finger pressure. Young edamame pods should feel like small, firm pillows when squeezed. Harvest regularly to encourage continued pod production. For the most tender, flavorful beans, pick pods before they begin to yellow or harden.
Growing Calendar
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Glycine max
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Glycine
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Karikachi #3 carries the heritage of Japanese soybean cultivation, developed and refined as an edamame variety specifically selected for superior flavor and yield. As an open-pollinated heirloom, it represents generations of seed saving and selection by Asian farmers who understood that not all soybeans taste equal. This variety has been preserved and shared by gardeners and seed companies committed to maintaining heirloom vegetable genetics, ensuring that home growers can access the same quality beans that made edamame a Japanese culinary staple.”