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When to Plant Pole Beans in Mora County, NM

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.

Mora County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 126 days.

At an elevation of 6,818 feet, Mora County receives approximately 16.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pole Beans during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Pole Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Pole Beans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Mora County, NM (Zone 5a) Short season
126 days
Last Spring Frost May 22
126 growing days
First Fall Frost September 25

Mora County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 25
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 26 Transplant: Jul 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 30 – Oct 25

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 991 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Pole Beans needs ~953 GDD — county provides 1,921 GDD Excellent fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Mora County, NM

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Transplant Outdoors June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jun 19
Direct Sow May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jun 19
Harvest July 31 Jul 31 โ€“ Sep 25

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 Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

126 days

Growing Tips for Mora 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 Mora County, NM?

Mora County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Pole Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mora County, NM?

Mora County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is September 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mora 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 Mora County, NM. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.