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When to Plant Pole Beans in Lee County, AL

Pole beans are climbing varieties of green beans that produce over a much longer season than bush types. They require trellising but yield more per square foot.

Lee County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 461 feet, Lee County receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pole Beans during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Pole Beans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pole Beans root diseases.

Lee County, AL (Zone 7b) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Lee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21

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
Pole Beans needs ~1,141 GDD — county provides 4,033 GDD Excellent fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Lee County, AL

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Direct Sow April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 24
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jul 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
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

55โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

221 days

Growing Tips for Lee County

Provide sturdy 6-8 foot poles, tepees, or trellises. Direct sow after last frost. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. Beans fix nitrogen benefiting following crops.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Fennel

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pole Beans in Lee County, AL?

Lee County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Pole Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lee County, AL?

Lee County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lee County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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