Beans: Edamame/Soy Beans (毛豆)

Edamame is most commonly found in Japanese restaurants. It is either boiled in water with a little salt or steamed. It is typically served either cold or chilled. It can however be served hot too.

Edamame is widely regarded as a healthy snack with a nutritional punch. It is rich in protien, dietary fiber as well as fatty acid.

Below are the steps needed to plant Edamame.

Materials you need

• At least 25cm by 25cm per plant either on ground, or in planting pot of at least 25cm diameter at HDB balcony
• This illustration is designed and documented using a green house plot as well as pot along HDB balcony.
• I grow seedlings from seeds from previous harvest but you can buy the pre-packaged seeds too. It is typically labelled as soy beans. 

Step 1: plant the seeds in a pot. Refer to here if you need help to prepare the pot/soil. Space them out about 3 to 5cm apart or follow the instructions on the packaging.

 Fig. 1 The seeds unpod from the pods(left), dig holes about 5cm apart and place one seed in each hole and cover (center and left)

I planted the seeds in a pot and place it in a pot holder along HDB corridor. Seeds typically take about 14 to 21 days to grow into seedlings suitable for transplant.

Fig. 2 Pot hanger and pot along HDB corridoor (left and center). Seedlings emerged after about 10 days(right)

Edamame grows very well in full sunlight and warm climate. The typical germination rate when placed along corridor is about 50%. If you place the pot in green house plot with full sunlight, the germination rate can be as high as 95%.

Fig. 3 Edamame seedlings ready for transplant (~20days)

Step 2: Transplant the seedlings onto the plot. Typical spacing is about 25cm apart.

Fig. 4 Newly transplant seedlings at garden plot (above) and Balcony plot (below)

Step 3: fertilized the plant once a week with organic fertilizer. Just dig a 5cm diameter hole about 5 to 8cm away from the main stem, scoop 1 tablespoon full of fertilizer into the hole and cover it.

By week 8 after seeding, the edamame will start to flower

Fig. 5 The edamame plant with flowers. The plant will be about 50cm to 80 cm tall by now

Step 4: By week 10 after first seeded, the edamame will have lots of pods on the plant.

Fig. 6 The full grown plant from top (above) and closed-up on the pods(below).

Step 5: By week 12 after seeded, the edamame is ready for harvest. The pods should be big and fat by now. Uproot the whole plant and trim the pods from the plant using a scissor.



Fig. 7 Closed up on edamame ready for harvest



You know what to do next, snack time!

Note: The edamame grows faster in garden plot. It takes only 12 weeks to fully matured. The balcony plot however will take up to 16 weeks depending on the amount of Sun you have.



Disclaimer:

Information are documented to the best of my ability and your result may varies.

Products and brands mentioned directly or indirectly in this blog reflects the experience of the author and does not represent the views of the individual merchants. There are many factors like seeds condition, weather, actual soil mixed, individual planting habits etc which may affect your results.