Glycine max

Soybean is an annual crop (or an herbaceous perennial grown as an annual) native to China and the Russian Far East. Soybean is grown as an agronomic crop (a source of oil or proteins), an animal foodstock or as a vegetable (edamame). It is in the bean family (Fabaceae). The species epithet, max, is Latin for “large,” referring perhaps to the size of the seed.  

Soybean grows readily in most garden soils in full sun. For best results, inoculate seeds with a nitrogen-fixing inoculant labeled for soybeans. Soil that is very rich in nitrogen should be avoided, as the plants will be lax and difficult to manage. The optimum soil temperature for seed germination is between 75 and 85℉. The plants need regular irrigation, but can tolerate brief periods of drought once established. For fresh seed (edamame), harvest the pods when the seeds are plump and the pod is just beginning to lose its fresh green color. For dry beans, allow the pods to mature and dry on the plant. Additional post-harvest drying may be necessary. 

Soybeans are one of the most widely cultivated crops in the world. Much of it is grown on an industrial scale on vast mega-farms. In the average garden, it is an easy-to-grow vegetable. It can also be grown as a spring-sown, summer cover crop. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Soybeans are susceptible to numerous pests and diseases (see Side Bar), although these are probably more of an issue on large soybean farms. The home gardener may not be troubled by these problems.