Soybean Question

[digitS']

I haven't grown soybeans very long - about 5 years. It may surprise you but there aren't any soybean fields around here. I went to a little trouble finding a variety that would mature early enuf for this location but more about that later. Here's my question:

The soybeans had a real difficult start to the 2013 season. The plants were so stunted that I didn't even bother harvesting the very few pods. Should I be surprised to have volunteers now?!

I started off several years ago with something like 7 varieties. I could check their names but ... one called Manitoba did poorly. There was one from North Korea that was kind of okay. I tried a Sapporo something-or-other over 4 years thinking that a variety from a Japanese ski area should grow well here! It didn't.

Finally, I realized that a Chinese variety was by far the best choice. Until last year. They had "Beer Friend" for a companion and it failed too.

The Chinese Bei looks real good this year! But, I've got a few from 2013! I recently noted that I'd never seen a bean volunteer until I started growing Cascade Giant pole beans. Now, I've got soybean volunteers that survived a subzero winter and the tractor guy.

Steve

 

[seedcorn]

Think what you have are seeds that are in pods sprouting next spring. Really doubt you have a perennial bean. If you do, get ready for millions.....

 

[digitS']

Yes.

They self-seeded! Those seeds survived on the soil surface, all winter.

Do soybeans do that in US farm fields?

Steve

 

[seedcorn]

Sometimes. Usually sprout that fall and winter kill

 

[Blue-Jay]

Hi digitS,

I don't know if you have seen this heirloom soybean sight. They have 105 varieites of soybeans.
http://www.sagethymes.com/soy.html

 

[Hal]

Hi digitS,

I don't know if you have seen this heirloom soybean sight. They have 105 varieites of soybeans.
http://www.sagethymes.com/soy.html

They have some nice Japanese ones!

 

[digitS']

Sometimes. Usually sprout that fall and winter kill

See, that's what I'd expect but the "Sometimes" makes sense to me now.

Hi digitS,

I don't know if you have seen this heirloom soybean sight. They have 105 varieites of soybeans.
http://www.sagethymes.com/soy.html

Whoa! Over 100, maybe there are a few beyond Bei. I guess it must be the "Bei 77-6177." Numbers like that, I'd quickly forget.

Just a few down is an "Envy." Now, you know ... I don't envy anyone their tofu. I've got a pretty good recipe for it but still. Edamame was something that I'd never eaten until I grew soybeans for myself. So. There might be a bigger world out there, you're suggesting??

Steve

 

[TheSeedObsesser]

Free plants are great aren't they? Some varieties can probably tolerate cold better than others, a heavy layer of snow over the ground probably helps.

Is edamame pretty much those dried and salted soybeans that taste kind of like peanuts?

 

[ninnymary]

SeedO, you have to try edamame if you haven't yet. You can buy it in the pod in the frozen food section. You just steam them for about 5 min. You can also buy them shelled frozen. I like to buy them in the pod, this way they take longer to eat. They are really good and addictive. Taste is hard to describe, sort of like a nutty pea.

Mary

 

[seedcorn]

Wife bought the frozen ones. BEYOND nasty for us. I am glad some of you like eating them. The American farmers support you and encourage you to do so. I will NOT support them on this issue.........don't tell them tho...