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When to Plant Green Beans in Fayette County, IA

Green beans are a warm-season staple available as bush or pole types. Bush beans produce a concentrated harvest while pole beans provide a longer picking season.

Fayette County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 1,228 feet, Fayette County receives approximately 41.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Green Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Fayette County, IA (Zone 4b) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Fayette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Green Beans

Green Beans needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Green Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 2.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Fayette County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Green Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Fayette County, IA

Green Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 9
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Sep 8

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“65 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

153 days in Fayette County

Growing Tips for Fayette County

Direct sow after last frost when soil is warm. Provide sturdy supports for pole varieties. Pick beans regularly when young and tender to encourage continued production.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Green Beans Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Allow pods to dry fully on vine until they rattle.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4 years at 35ยฐF, under 45% humidity.

Avoid harvesting during damp weather. Isolate 25 ft between varieties.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Green Beans in Fayette County, IA?

Fayette County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Green Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fayette County, IA?

Fayette County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fayette County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Fayette County, IA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.