Soybeans are very nutritious and can also be grown here under the right conditions. We'll show you how.
Soybeans provide an extra portion of protein and are not only a popular snack for those who are fitness conscious. Numerous representatives can also be cultivated in your own garden. Large-grain soybeans are called edamame. The individual species can differ in growth and appearance.
Origin of Soybean
Wild soybeans were already cultivated around 7,000 BC. Cultivated in Asia. The Japanese have been using the soybean for over 5,000 years. The soybean arrived in Europe around 1740. As early as 1850, the first hobby gardeners tried to successfully cultivate them in home gardens. The main growing areas for edamame, known as "beans on a stalk", are today in South America.
In Germany, the climatically favorable wine-brewing regions in the southwest are particularly well suited for the cultivation of soybeans. Cultivation becomes more important. While the area under cultivation was only 5,000 hectares in 2011, it has increased fivefold to date.
Find the right location for the soybean
The plants that need warmth should be sunny and protected from the wind. The best climatic conditions for cultivation can be found in the Upper Rhine Plain.
The substrate should be loose and deep. It should also be noted that our substrate does not contain the bacterial strain Bradyrhizobium japnonicum, which is necessary for the growth of soybeans. The stems are often shipped with the seed and should be inoculated into the soil prior to sowing.
Sowing the soybeans
Sowing can begin when the soil temperature levels off at ten to twelve degrees. In areas with a mild climate, this can already be the case in early May. If you want to try cultivation in harsher low mountain ranges, you will probably have to wait until mid-June.
When sowing, the following distances should be observed:
- Distance between the seeds: 10 to 15 centimeters
- Row spacing: 30 to 40 centimetres
- Seed depth: four centimetres
An alternative to give plants aTo get a head start in growth is to put two beans in a pot filled with potting soil and grow them in a warm room. The young plants can be placed outdoors from mid-June.
When planting, it is important to note that the soybeans can grow up to one meter tall. The germination time of the seeds is about ten days. Another eight weeks pass before you can harvest the ripe beans.
Tip: Soybeans are part of the diet of rabbits and birds. The plants should be provided with special protective nets.
During cultivation, a distinction can be made between good and bad plant neighbours.
| ideal plant neighbors | unsuitable plant neighbors |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes Celery Kohlrabi Potatoes Cucumbers Cabbage Radishes | Carrots Fennel Onions Leeks |
Care for soybeans
Soybeans need water regularly. In midsummer, watering may be necessary twice a day. The soil should be loosened regularly and the plants are easy to pile up.
In the first few weeks after sowing, weeding should not be neglected. Otherwise the beans cannot grow into dense stands.
The nodule base can be checked in early summer by digging up some plants. If there are hardly any nodules on the roots and you notice that the leaves are lightening at the same time, the plants should be given organic fertilizer.
Suitable varieties briefly presented
When choosing a variety, you should use soybeans that are adapted to the climatic conditions in our latitudes. In general, soybeans require a lot of heat. Most Asian varieties are designed for short daily runs and usually only flower in late summer. Then, before the onset of the first frost, no more fruit can be formed.
Cultivation in the home garden can promise success with the following varieties:
- Summer Shell: This soybean can handle changeable weather. Plants grow to medium size and are ready to harvest around 97 days after sowing.
- Green Shell: The Japanese soybean originally grows in northern Hokkaido and can tolerate harsh weather. Good yields are also achieved in northern and southern Germany. It can be harvested about 90 days after sowing.
- Hokkai Black: This strainis black-grained and has strikingly large and tasty beans. A warm location is necessary. The ripening period is about 110 days.
- Hokkai Green: This is a Japanese breed that can be considered stable and robust. The bean can be harvested about 97 days after sowing.
Harvest and utilize the soybean
On average, soybeans take three months to ripen. The harvest takes place when the pods still feel slightly furry.
For the classic preparation of soybeans, boil one liter of s alted water and add the pods for about five minutes. The pods should now be covered with a light crust of s alt. Whether seasoning with sea s alt is necessary is purely a matter of taste.
Tip: In Japan, beer is drunk with soybeans.
The fibrous pods are not eaten. You pull the soft beans out of their pods with your mouth. The sweet and nutty aroma combined with the s alt in the crust is an interesting taste experience.
Soybeans are often used in salads or added to rice dishes.