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When to Plant Pole Beans in San Miguel 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.

San Miguel County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 113 days.

At an elevation of 8,402 feet, San Miguel County receives approximately 21.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pole Beans during the growing season.

San Miguel County, CO (Zone 5a) Short season
113 days
Last Spring Frost May 31
113 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

San Miguel County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: Jun 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 4
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 2 Transplant: Jul 11 🍅 Harvest: Sep 5 – Oct 31

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

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Pole Beans needs ~859 GDD — county provides 1,553 GDD Excellent fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline โ€” San Miguel County, CO

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Transplant Outdoors June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Jun 28
Direct Sow June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Jun 28
Harvest August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Oct 4

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 โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

113 days

Growing Tips for San Miguel 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 San Miguel County, CO?

San Miguel County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 31. Plan your Pole Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is San Miguel County, CO?

San Miguel County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 31 and first fall frost is September 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help San Miguel County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 San Miguel County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.