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When to Plant Pole Beans in Calhoun County, IL

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.

Calhoun County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 731 feet, Calhoun County receives approximately 32.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pole Beans during the growing season.

Calhoun County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Calhoun County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 29

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 496 gal / 100 sq ft
Pole Beans needs ~906 GDD — county provides 2,769 GDD Excellent fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Calhoun County, IL

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Aug 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Calhoun 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pole Beans in Calhoun County, IL?

Calhoun County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Pole Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Calhoun County, IL?

Calhoun County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Calhoun County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Calhoun County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.