Planting Time: Farmers plant soybean seeds in the spring when
Planting Time: Farmers plant soybean seeds in the spring when
the soil is warm enough.
the soil is warm enough.
Sprouting: The seed soaks up water and cracks open. A tiny
Sprouting: The seed soaks up water and cracks open. A tiny
root grows down, and a small stem pushes up through the
root grows down, and a small stem pushes up through the
soil.
soil.
Growing Up: The plant grows taller and sprouts leaves that
Growing Up: The plant grows taller and sprouts leaves that
collect sunlight to make food.
collect sunlight to make food.
Flowering: Small purple or white flowers bloom on the plant.
Flowering: Small purple or white flowers bloom on the plant.
Making Pods: After the flowers fall off, small pods start to
Making Pods: After the flowers fall off, small pods start to
grow. These pods are like little bean houses!
grow. These pods are like little bean houses!
Bean Time: Inside each pod, 2-4 soybeans grow and ripen from
Bean Time: Inside each pod, 2-4 soybeans grow and ripen from
green to yellow, brown, or black.
green to yellow, brown, or black.
Harvest: In the fall, farmers collect the soybeans using special
Harvest: In the fall, farmers collect the soybeans using special
machines called combines.
machines called combines.
FROM TINY SEED TO MIGHTY PLANT
FROM TINY SEED TO MIGHTY PLANT
Soybean Family
Members
Soybean Family
Members
Edamame
These are young, green soybeans still in
their pods. They're picked before they fully
ripen.
Yellow Soybeans
These are the most common soybeans. They're
harvested when fully ripe and dry. Yellow
soybeans are used to make soy milk, tofu, and
many other soy foods.
Black Soybeans
These soybeans have a black outer
coat and are especially popular in
Asian cooking. They have a slightly
sweeter taste than yellow soybeans.
Soybean plants are special soil helpers! They can
take nitrogen from the air and put it into the
soil. helping make the soil healthier for other
plants to grow later.