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When to Plant Green Beans in Hamilton County, NE

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.

Hamilton County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 861 feet, Hamilton County receives approximately 33.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Green Beans during the growing season.

Hamilton County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Hamilton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 816 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Green Beans needs ~791 GDD — county provides 2,310 GDD Excellent fit

Green Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Hamilton County, NE

Green Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Aug 22

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 Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

168 days

Growing Tips for Hamilton 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

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 Hamilton County, NE?

Hamilton County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Green Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hamilton County, NE?

Hamilton County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hamilton County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Hamilton County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.