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When to Plant Green Beans in Hill County, TX

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.

Hill County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 2,597 feet, Hill County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Green Beans during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Green Beans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Green Beans root diseases.

Hill County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

Hill County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.3-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jun 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 28

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 238 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Green Beans needs ~1,136 GDD — county provides 4,977 GDD Excellent fit

Green Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Hill County, TX

Green Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 9
Harvest May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jul 9

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 8a

Growing Season

252 days

Growing Tips for Hill 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 Hill County, TX?

Hill County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Green Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hill County, TX?

Hill County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hill County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Hill County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.