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When to Plant Pole Beans in Franklin 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.

Franklin County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 198 days.

At an elevation of 2,408 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 50.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pole Beans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pole Beans root diseases.

Franklin County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
198 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
198 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Pole Beans needs ~1,047 GDD — county provides 3,316 GDD Excellent fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Franklin County, TN

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 13

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 7a

Growing Season

198 days

Growing Tips for Franklin 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 Franklin County, TN?

Franklin County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Pole Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, TN?

Franklin County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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