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When to Plant Pole Beans in Teton County, ID

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.

Teton County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost is September 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 103 days.

At an elevation of 6,709 feet, Teton County receives approximately 15.1 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. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Pole Beans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Teton County, ID (Zone 4b) Short season
103 days
Last Spring Frost May 31
103 growing days
First Fall Frost September 11

Teton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Jun 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 1
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: Jun 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Oct 11
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 19 Transplant: Jul 12 🍅 Harvest: Sep 6 – Nov 1

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.

Soil Compatibility in Teton County

How your county's soil matches Pole Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“8.4) is more alkaline than Pole Beans prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Teton County is excellent for Pole Beans โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Pole Beans.

How to Plant Pole Beans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Pole Beans

2
successive plantings in your 103-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 03 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 423 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Pole Beans

Pole Beans needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Pole Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Teton County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Pole Beans Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Pole Beans needs ~766 GDD — county provides 1,261 GDD Excellent fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Teton County, ID

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Jul 5
Direct Sow June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Jul 5
Harvest August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Oct 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

55โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

103 days in Teton County

Growing Tips for Pole Beans in Teton County

Direct sow Pole Beans outdoors after May 31 in Teton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Pole Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Teton County receives only 15" of rain annually. Pole Beans needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pole Beans in Teton County, ID?

Teton County is in Zone 4b 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 Teton County, ID?

Teton County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 31 and first fall frost is September 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Teton County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Teton County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.