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When to Plant Pole Beans in Lake County, CO

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.

Lake County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is June 21 and the first fall frost is August 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 70 days.

At an elevation of 7,687 feet, Lake County receives approximately 21.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Pole Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Lake County, CO (Zone 4a) Very short season
70 days
Last Spring Frost June 21
70 growing days
First Fall Frost August 30

Lake County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: Jul 7 🍅 Harvest: Sep 1 – Oct 27
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 19 Transplant: Jul 12 🍅 Harvest: Sep 6 – Nov 1
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 25 Transplant: Jul 18 🍅 Harvest: Sep 12 – Nov 7

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Pole Beans needs ~766 GDD — county provides 857 GDD Good fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Lake County, CO

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Transplant Outdoors July 12 Jul 12 โ€“ Jul 26
Direct Sow July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Jul 26
Harvest September 6 Sep 6 โ€“ Nov 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors
June โ€”
July Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

70 days

Growing Tips for Lake 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 Lake County, CO?

Lake County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of June 21. Plan your Pole Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lake County, CO?

Lake County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is June 21 and first fall frost is August 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lake County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Lake County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.