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When to Plant Pole Beans in Bradley County, TN

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.

Bradley County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.

At an elevation of 2,838 feet, Bradley County receives approximately 42.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pole Beans during the growing season.

Bradley County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
211 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
211 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Bradley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23

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 297 gal / 100 sq ft
Pole Beans needs ~1,141 GDD — county provides 3,850 GDD Excellent fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Bradley County, TN

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Aug 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

211 days

Growing Tips for Bradley 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 Bradley County, TN?

Bradley County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Pole Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bradley County, TN?

Bradley County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bradley County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Bradley County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.