Name: Organic 'Gaia' Soybean Seeds
Brand: Gaia
Price: 4.99 CAD
Availability: InStock

Sale Sold out

Open-pollinated seeds. Fabaceae.

Gaia

Glycine max.

From seed to harvest

HeirloomOpen-pollinated

Common nameSoybean.

FamilyFabaceae.

GenusGlycine

Speciesmax.

CultivarGaia

TypeOpen-pollinated seeds.

Botanical nameGlycine max.

Reproducible seedsYes

Heirloom varietytrue

Quantity per packet50 seeds

Organic 'Gaia' Soybean Seeds (Glycine max). It is a Glycine max selection with lime-green seeds marked in black. The seed grower reports stabilizing it from a chance cross between green edamame and a black-seeded soybean. Its bushy growth and dual purpose allow either a young harvest for edamame or a later harvest for dry beans. These stages change texture and preparation; they are not two different plants in the packet. Gaia presents the seeds as certified organic. Give this annual crop a bright, warm garden bed. For practical seed starting, growing from seed succeeds best when the verified product depth, moisture and temperature guidance is followed.

Direct sow after the last frost, once the soil has warmed and can be worked without remaining sticky. Gaia recommends a depth of 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in.) and approximately 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in.) between plants. Water gently after sowing and monitor emergence, which depends on soil warmth and moisture. Weed around young plants so they receive adequate light. Keep moisture consistent while pods form and fill, because drought at this stage can reduce the crop. Maintain access between rows. Use the product details as a clear guide on how to start seeds while keeping the growing medium evenly moist, never saturated. For indoor seed starting, count back from local conditions and frost dates to decide when to start indoor seeds.

For edamame, harvest pods when they are plump but still green. Cook the beans and discard the fuzzy pods. For dry soybeans, allow pods to reach their mature colour and dry while monitoring the weather. Judge timing by seed development rather than always waiting for the ground to freeze. Sort the crop, discard damaged beans and finish drying thoroughly before storage. Store dry beans appropriately and inspect them regularly. Soybeans must be cooked and should not be eaten raw.

Light and life cycle

In the garden

Exposure: Full sun.
Life cycle: Annual.
Hardiness: Cultivée comme annuelle après le dernier gel.

Sowing and germination

Sowing guide

Sowing & germination

Sowing depth

2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in.), according to Gaia.

Spacing / density

10-15 cm (3.9-5.9 in.) between plants; 45 to 75 cm (17.7 to 29.5 in) between rows.

Germination temperature

15 to 29 °C (59 to 84 °F), optimum 19 to 20 °C (66 to 68 °F), according to Gaia.

Germination time

2 to 14 days in Gaia’s table; the supplier’s general guidance is 8 to 10 days.

Sowing period

Direct sow after the last frost in warmed soil, approximately 2.5 to 4 cm deep. Space seeds 10 to 15 cm apart and water gently after sowing. Soil temperatures near 19 to 25°C support even emergence, often within 8 to 10 days.

Propagation

By seed; isolate plants if saving seed to preserve varietal purity.

Growing method

Sow soybean directly once the soil is warm, because cold, waterlogged soil increases the risk of seed rot and transplanting can disturb young roots. Weed early while seedlings are small. The bushy plants normally need no trellis. If soybean has not previously been grown in the bed, a soybean-specific inoculant may be useful; follow its label. Keep the seedbed evenly moist through emergence and water during dry periods, especially at flowering and while pods are filling. For growing edamame in containers, use a large, well-drained pot and maintain consistent moisture until harvest. This seed starting sequence supports reliable growing from seed while preserving the product-specific depth and temperature facts.

Soil and care

Soil & care

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0.

Moisture

Evenly moist soil with no standing water.

Minimum temperature

Frost-tender; plant after the last frost once nights remain mild.

Care level

Moderate.

Watering

Water at soil level and avoid needlessly wetting foliage. For dry beans, let pods dry near the end of the cycle when weather permits, without exposing seed to prolonged rain.

Soil type

Choose fertile, loose, well-drained soil that holds even moisture without remaining saturated. Incorporate finished compost before planting and avoid cold or compacted ground. In containers, use vegetable potting mix rather than garden soil alone. Effective drainage keeps air around the roots and reduces problems caused by standing water.

Fertilization

Well-prepared soil amended with finished compost is often sufficient. As a legume, soybean can fix nitrogen when the appropriate root bacteria are present, so avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer. In soil where soybean has not been grown, consider an inoculant specifically labelled for soybean. Adjust other nutrients to soil fertility and product directions.

Seasonal care

Prepare a clean bed in spring and sow after the soil warms. Keep the seedbed moist and weed before young plants face competition. In summer, maintain moisture while pods fill. Harvest green pods before yellowing for edamame, or allow pods to mature longer for dry beans while protecting them from persistent rain. Finish drying seed thoroughly before storing it in a clean container.

Growing in containers

Container growing

Recommended pot size

20 to 30 L for some spaced plants.

Use a large, well-drained container and avoid crowding the plants. Check moisture frequently because irregular watering can reduce the harvest. Container nutrients are limited, but excessive nitrogen encourages foliage rather than pod production. Maintain air circulation and pick pods at the edamame stage before they yellow. Several rows in the garden will generally produce a more substantial crop than a few container plants.

Growth and harvest

Size, flowering & harvest

Mature height

60 to 120 cm (23.6 to 47.2 in.).

Width / spread

30 to 60 cm (11.8 to 23.6 in).

Flower color

White to pale purple.

Foliage color

Green.

Foliage type

Herbaceous annual.

Growth rate

Varies with warmth, light and growth stage.

Growth habit

Bushy.

Edible parts

Seeds, after cooking; pods not consumed.

Bloom period

The small, discrete flowers, white to pale purple depending on the plants, precede the downy pods. Soybean is mainly self-pollinating. Successful flowering should be followed by regular moisture to allow seeds to fill. The pods for edamame are still harvested green, while those for dry grain remain longer on the plant.

Fruiting

For edamame, harvest when seeds are tender and fully formed inside green pods. For dry soybeans, wait until pods turn brown and dry, then finish drying them under cover if wet weather threatens. Store only fully dried beans. Soybeans must be cooked; the pods are not eaten.

Days to maturity

75 to 100 days depending on the harvest stage.

Garden companions

Garden associations

Companion plants & uses

Companion plants

Lettuce, radish and low flowers can grow nearby if they do not shade the soybean plants. Keep enough room to reach the pods and avoid dense plantings that trap moisture. Compatible light, water and spacing needs matter more than claims of guaranteed protection between companion plants.

Garden use

For edamame, harvest plump green pods, boil them until the beans are tender, drain and season lightly. Squeeze the cooked beans from the pods and discard the pods. Do not eat raw soybeans. For dry beans, soak and cook them thoroughly using a soybean-specific recipe. Soy is a common food allergen.

Wildlife and pets

Wildlife & precautions

Supporting wildlife

Flowers can receive some insect visits, but the culture is mostly self-pollinating. A flowering border offers more resources to pollinators. Monitor slugs and birds at the seed stage and then animals that may eat young pods.

Frequently asked questions

How many 'Gaia' Soybean seeds are in the packet?

The Gaia packet contains 50 seeds. Store unused Gaia soybean seed in its labelled packet in a cool, dry, dark place.

How long do 'Gaia' Soybean seeds take to germinate?

Emergence generally takes 2 to 14 days; the supplier's general guidance is 8 to 10 days at 15 to 29 °C (59 to 84 °F), with a Gaia-listed optimum of 19 to 20 °C (66 to 68 °F). Keep the growing medium evenly moist but never waterlogged, and provide bright light as soon as seedlings emerge. When growing from seed, keep conditions stable for the full stated germination window before disturbing the mix.