Edamame, a Nutritious New Crop in Florida

Did you know edamame can grow in Florida? Edamame shares the same species name as the soybean, which is already an important crop in Florida. This vegetable, native to Asia, differs from the soybean in that it has bigger seeds, produces larger pods, and matures sooner. Based on research of its cultivation in Miami-Dade County, edamame may be a nutritious new crop for south Florida.

Growing Seasons

Edamame could be growing right now in south Florida. According to a recent EDIS publication HS1498, “Edamame Growth Stages in Miami-Dade County,” this vegetable can grow in south Florida during the fall, starting from early October to late December, or in the spring, starting from mid-February to early May. Edamame cannot germinate or sustain later growth when soil and air temperatures are too high or too low. Similarly, the plant needs plenty of water, but excessive moisture can encourage pathogenic growth. Therefore, these cooler, but not cold, seasons are just what the plant needs for healthy, productive growth.

Management Practices

Edamame can grow in south Florida for 10 to 11 weeks, but it can take as many as 17 weeks in other US regions. This period spans from seed planting to maturity. Like many crops, irrigating and fertilizing at the right quantities and times across the whole life cycle is detrimental to the success of the plant. Moreover, weed and pest management is necessary through careful monitoring and the appropriate timing of pesticide applications. However, the level of effort required to carry out these management practices, among others, may not necessarily deter someone from growing edamame at home, seeing as a number of blogs and news sites (e.g., The Old Farmer’s Almanac and The Florida Times-Union) advocate for it and offer guidance.

The Allure of Nutrition

Edamame being highly nutritious is one reason why it is rising in popularity as a crop commercially and in the home garden. Edamame is high in fiber and a good source of polyunsaturated fats, including omega-3 fatty acids (see IFAS blog, “Tips for Heart Health”). These nutrients both protect against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and various types of cancer (see EDIS FSHN12-16). Edamame is also high in protein, providing 8 grams per half cup of vegetables (see EDIS FSHN22-1).

You can incorporate edamame into various meals using a range of preparation methods. Eat the vegetables cold (but not raw) in salads or hot in a vegetable stir fry. You may enjoy pureeing the vegetables to create soups, spreads, or sauces. Edamame alone make a great snack or appetizer by steaming or sauteing them or by breading and frying them.

Read the full publication about edamame growth stages on Ask IFAS.

See chapter 11 of the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida for planting dates in each region of Florida (Table 4) and additional planting information (Table 5) for this vegetable.

Now that fall is here, it may be too late to try growing edamame in your home garden. In south Florida, you may instead consider growing broccoli, kale, carrots, or green onions for the upcoming month of December. Check out the UF/IFAS recommended gardening calendars for north, central, and south Florida to see what edible and ornamental plants you can grow at home over the year.