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How to Grow Yellow Soybean Hawkeye

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Yellow Soybean Hawkeye

Glycine max

vegetable

Hawkeye is a classic yellow soybean variety bred at Iowa State University, known for high yields and reliable performance. This determinate cultivar produces bushes loaded with protein-rich pods containing nutritious soybeans. It has been a standard in commercial and home gardens for decades due to its consistent quality and adaptability.

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Example Yellow Soybean Hawkeye timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Yellow Soybean Hawkeye

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Yellow Soybean Hawkeye

    Around Aug 5

    ≈ 110 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Yellow Soybean Hawkeye dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours preferred
💧
Water: Moderate; requires 1-1.5 inches per week during growing season. Consistent moisture critical during pod-filling stage (R3-R6). Drought-tolerant once established compared to other legumes, but yields decline without adequate water during reproductive phase.
📏
Spacing: 12 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 110-120 days
🌱
Planting depth: 1.25

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to silt loam soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Organic compost Inoculant (Bradyrhizobium japonicum) for nitrogen fixation Potassium fertilizer if soil testing shows deficiency

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 4-8; requires 110-120 frost-free days

4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling (VE-V2)

1-2 weeks

Cotyledons emerge and expand; true leaves unfold. Plant is 2-4 inches tall with pale green foliage.

Ensure consistent soil moisture. Protect from slugs and cutworms with row covers if needed. Thin to proper spacing (4-6 inches apart initially).

2

Vegetative (V3-V5)

3-4 weeks

Rapid leaf development; plant grows to 6-12 inches. Compound tri-foliolate leaves fully developed. Root system establishing.

Monitor for early pest pressure (Japanese beetles, spider mites). Keep weed-free through cultivation or mulching. Apply inoculant spray if nodulation appears slow.

3

Flowering & Early Pod Set (R1-R3)

3-4 weeks

Small purple or white flowers appear in leaf axils. Plant reaches 20-30 inches. Early pods form; plant enters critical growth period.

Maintain consistent 1-1.5 inches weekly water. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer (can reduce pod set). Monitor for spider mites and aphids during dry periods.

4

Pod Development (R4-R5)

3-4 weeks

Pods rapidly expand to full size (2-3 inches). Plant typically 24-32 inches tall. Beans within pods enlarge and reach full green stage.

This is the critical water period—do not allow drought stress. Keep consistent moisture. Watch for pod diseases (pod rot in humid conditions).

5

Maturation & Harvest (R6-R8)

2-3 weeks

Pods dry, turn brown, and become brittle. Leaves yellow and drop. Beans inside reach full yellow color and are hard and sound when shaken.

Allow pods to dry naturally in field if weather permits. Harvest when beans rattle in pods and stem is brown. Store in cool, dry location.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Corn Squash Pumpkin Lettuce Spinach Cabbage Marigold Nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Onions Garlic Tomatoes (allelopathic concerns) Black walnut trees

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick early morning; apply neem oil or spinosad if infestation heavy. Avoid traps near garden. Row covers on seedlings.

  • Spray with strong water jet to dislodge. Apply insecticidal soap or sulfur dust in hot, dry weather. Encourage predatory mites.

  • Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage ladybugs and parasitic wasps. Reflective mulch can deter.

  • Remove by hand in early morning. Use spinosad or pyrethrin if population high. Row covers on young plants.

  • Rotate with non-legume crops for 2-3 years. Use resistant varieties (Hawkeye is susceptible to some races). Soil testing recommended.

  • Spray spinosad on young plants. Encourage natural predators. Cultural controls: remove nearby tall grass.

Uses

🍳

Protein-rich legume

Culinary

Dried Hawkeye soybeans are used to make tofu, tempeh, edamame, soy milk, and soy flour. Fresh green pods can be boiled and salted as a snack. High in complete protein with all nine essential amino acids. [source]

🍳

Oil production

Culinary

Soybean oil is extracted from beans and used in cooking, baking, and food manufacturing. Cold-pressed soy oil has a nutty flavor and high smoke point suitable for stir-frying and frying. [source]

💊

Isoflavone content

Medicinal

Soybeans contain isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) studied for potential health benefits related to bone health and menopausal symptoms. These phytoestrogens are investigated in nutritional and medical research. [source]

🏠

Animal feed

Household

Soybean meal (the protein-rich residue after oil extraction) is widely used as livestock and poultry feed due to its high protein content (44-50%). Whole beans are also used in organic farming systems. [source]

🌿

Nitrogen fixation & soil improvement

Agricultural

As a legume, Hawkeye soybeans form symbiotic relationships with Bradyrhizobium bacteria, fixing atmospheric nitrogen into soil. This enriches soil naturally and reduces need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers in crop rotations. [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 completely brown and dry, and beans rattle inside pods when shaken (typically late August to September in northern zones). Pods should snap easily from stem. For fresh soybeans, harvest 1-2 weeks earlier when pods are plump but still green. For dried beans intended for storage, allow complete field drying if weather permits, then harvest and further dry indoors to 12% moisture content before storage.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Hawkeye was developed at Iowa State University in 1933 and named after the state's official nickname. It became one of the most widely grown soybean varieties in North America for over 50 years.
  • 🌱 Soybeans are one of the most genetically modified crops globally; however, Hawkeye is a classical, non-GMO open-pollinated variety prized by heirloom and organic growers.
  • 🌱 A single soybean plant can produce 60-80 pods under ideal growing conditions, with 2-3 beans per pod, yielding approximately 40-50 pounds per 1,000 square feet of garden space.

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Full Sun Mulch pH Row Cover True Leaves
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