This means the whole pod needs to be thoroughly cleaned before it hits the market. Cleaning EdamameĮdamame can be consumed with the beans taken out of pods or even with the beans remaining in the pods. Continuous harvests can be facilitated by sowing seeds several times in succession, similar to green beans. Certain cultivars are better-suited for mechanical harvest, such as those that have a more compact growth habit, like the Kuroshinju variety. Mechanical harvesting of larger amounts can be done using a modified green bean picker. This is the traditional way to sell edamame in East Asia, and it also reduces labor. Some edamame farmers harvest by clipping the plant at the soil surface and selling the whole plant. Gently pulling them off the plant or using garden shears and then placing into bins or baskets is how most hand-harvesting is done. Courtesy: Washington State UniversityĮdamame is usually harvested by hand on small farms and can be harvested similarly to peas or green beans.

Mechanical harvest of edamame being done with a single-row green bean harvester. These diseases can be managed by using fungicides, choosing resistant varieties, and practicing crop rotation.

The most common diseases for edamame are: powdery mildew, frogeye leaf spot, rust, and bacterial blight. The best way to deal with these pests is to select more pest-resistant varieties, such as Chiba Green. Pests that attack edamame include: soybean aphids, stink bugs, and leafhoppers. The plant does face many enemies in the form of disease and insects, but since the plant is harvested while green, it avoids many late-season problems. Most soybean pesticides are also not suitable for edamame. Most herbicides for soybeans are not suited for edamame, so growers often rely on mechanical and hand cultivation for weed control. Conduct a soil test in the early fall of year preceding planting in order to determine the fertilizer requirements. Irrigation may be necessary for growing edamame, especially during times of increased water demand, such as the flowering period and pod-fill stage.

Edamame sunshine islands