Blog

When to Plant Green Beans in Stark County, OH

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.

Stark County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 1,118 feet, Stark County receives approximately 31.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Green Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Stark County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Stark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11

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.

Soil Compatibility in Stark County

How your county's soil matches Green Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.0) is within Green Beans's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.0).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Stark County is excellent for Green Beans โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Green Beans.

How to Plant Green Beans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Green Beans

4
successive plantings in your 171-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 14 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 226 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Green Beans needs ~748 GDD — county provides 2,223 GDD Excellent fit

Green Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Stark County, OH

Green Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 27

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 โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“65 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

171 days in Stark County

Growing Tips for Green Beans in Stark County

Direct sow Green Beans outdoors after April 30 in Stark County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Green Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Stark County, OH?

Stark County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Green Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stark County, OH?

Stark County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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