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When to Plant Green Beans in Tensas Parish, LA

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.

Tensas Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 248 days.

At an elevation of 409 feet, Tensas Parish receives approximately 61.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Green Beans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Green Beans root diseases.

Tensas Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Long season
248 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
248 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Tensas Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jun 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 27

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Green Beans needs ~1,006 GDD — county provides 4,340 GDD Excellent fit

Green Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Tensas Parish, LA

Green Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 6
Harvest May 11 May 11 โ€“ Jul 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“65 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

248 days

Growing Tips for Tensas Parish

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

Level Up Your Garden

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 Tensas Parish, LA?

Tensas Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Green Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tensas Parish, LA?

Tensas Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tensas Parish gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Tensas Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.