Blog

When to Plant Pole Beans in St. Francis 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.

St. Francis County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 234 days.

At an elevation of 1,429 feet, St. Francis County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, 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.

St. Francis County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
234 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
234 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

St. Francis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13

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 169 gal / 100 sq ft
Pole Beans needs ~1,000 GDD — county provides 3,744 GDD Excellent fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline โ€” St. Francis County, AR

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 โ€“ Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors 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

55โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

234 days

Growing Tips for St. Francis 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 St. Francis County, AR?

St. Francis County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Pole Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Francis County, AR?

St. Francis County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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