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When to Plant Pole Beans in Clay County, AR

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.

Clay County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 1,448 feet, Clay County receives approximately 54.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pole Beans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pole Beans root diseases.

Clay County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Clay County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20

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 ~1,094 GDD — county provides 3,850 GDD Excellent fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Clay County, AR

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 7a

Growing Season

220 days

Growing Tips for Clay 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 Clay County, AR?

Clay County is in Zone 7a 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 Clay County, AR?

Clay County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clay County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Clay County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.