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How to Grow Edamame Black Midori Giant

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Edamame Black Midori Giant

Glycine max

vegetable

Black Midori Giant is a Japanese soybean variety prized for its large, dark pods and sweet, nutty flavor when harvested at the immature green stage. This cultivar produces vigorous plants with abundant foliage and yields abundant pods perfect for steaming and snacking. The beans are significantly larger than standard edamame varieties, making them especially appealing for fresh consumption.

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Example Edamame Black Midori Giant timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Edamame Black Midori Giant

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Edamame Black Midori Giant

    Around Jul 16

    ≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Edamame Black Midori Giant dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum
💧
Water: Consistent moisture during growing season, approximately 1-1.5 inches per week; reduce watering after flowering begins to concentrate flavor
📏
Spacing: 4-6 inches between plants, 18-24 inches between rows inches
📅
Days to maturity: 90-110 days
🌱
Planting depth: 1-1.5 inches deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
compost aged manure peat moss or coconut coir

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-8; can be grown in zone 4 with extended season

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

7-14 days

Seed germinates and cotyledons emerge, establishing a small root system and initial true leaves

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; ensure warm soil temperatures (65-75°F); protect from slugs and cutworms; thin seedlings to proper spacing if direct seeding

2

Vegetative Growth

30-45 days

Plant develops robust leafy foliage, expanding height and stem diameter; no flowers yet; large compound leaves characteristic of soybean

Maintain consistent moisture; provide nitrogen-fixing bacteria inoculation benefits (soybeans have natural nodules); monitor for aphids and spider mites; mulch around plants to retain moisture

3

Flowering & Pod Development

20-30 days

Small white, purple, or pink flowers appear in leaf axils; flowers are self-pollinating; pods begin to form immediately after flowering

Continue regular watering; reduce nitrogen input; avoid overhead watering to prevent disease; support taller plants if needed; begin monitoring pod development closely

4

Pod Maturation

20-30 days

Pods swell as beans develop inside; pods transition from light green to darker green, then begin yellowing at maturity; beans fill pods completely

Water moderately; check pods regularly for harvest readiness by gently squeezing; harvest when pods are full but still tender and bright green for best flavor; continue monitoring for late-season pests

5

Harvest

Harvest window 10-20 days

Mature pods are large, full, and ready for picking when still bright green and slightly tender (before shells harden and turn yellow)

Harvest by hand, pinching or cutting pods from stems; handle gently to avoid bruising; harvest consistently to encourage continued production; use immediately or freeze for best quality

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

corn squash cucumber radish carrot onion basil marigold

Avoid planting near:

fennel garlic onion family (in excess)

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick early morning; use pheromone traps away from plants; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects

  • Increase humidity with regular misting; spray with strong water stream; apply neem oil or sulfur dust; maintain adequate soil moisture

  • Spray with insecticidal soap; use reflective mulches; introduce ladybugs or lacewings; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization

  • Use row covers early in season; hand-pick adults; apply neem oil; remove plant debris where beetles overwinter

  • Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate; remove affected leaves

Uses

🍳

Steamed and Salted Snack

Culinary

The primary use for edamame—pods are blanched or steamed for 5-7 minutes, then sprinkled with sea salt. The large beans in Black Midori Giant push out easily with your teeth for a satisfying, protein-rich snack. [source]

🍳

Salads and Grain Bowls

Culinary

Shell the beans and add to mixed green salads, grain bowls, pasta salads, or Buddha bowls. The sweet, nutty flavor and firm texture complement vinaigrettes and Asian-inspired dressings beautifully. [source]

🍳

Purees and Spreads

Culinary

Blanched and shelled beans can be pureed with garlic, sesame oil, and lemon juice to create a creamy hummus-like spread, or blended into soups and sauces for added protein and creaminess. [source]

💊

Protein and Isoflavone Source

Medicinal

Edamame is exceptionally rich in plant-based protein (about 11g per 100g of shelled beans) and contains isoflavones, compounds studied for potential hormonal and cardiovascular benefits. [source]

🏠

Sustainable Crop and Nitrogen Fixation

Household

As a legume, edamame fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere through symbiotic bacteria in root nodules, naturally enriching soil and reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers while supporting sustainable gardening practices. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest when pods are full, bright green, and still tender (approximately 3-4 weeks after flowering begins). Gently squeeze pods to test firmness—mature edamame pods should feel full but still yield slightly. Pick from bottom of plant upward. Morning harvest after dew dries yields the best flavor. Freeze immediately after harvesting or blanch and freeze for long-term storage. The Black Midori Giant variety's large size makes pods easier to handle and offers a generous yield per plant.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Black Midori Giant is a Japanese heirloom variety whose name reflects its dark coloring ('kuro' means black in Japanese) and large size ('giant' refers to the oversized beans), making it distinctly different from typical green edamame varieties.
  • 🌱 Edamame soybeans are harvested and eaten at the immature green stage, whereas dried soybeans used for tofu, miso, and soy sauce are allowed to mature fully and are cream-colored; the same plant species, but harvested at completely different maturity stages.
  • 🌱 A single edamame plant can produce 50-100+ pods under ideal growing conditions, with the Black Midori Giant variety trending toward the higher end due to its vigorous growth habit and large pod size.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun Mulch pH True Leaves
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