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When to Plant Pole Beans in Smith 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.

Smith County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 3,829 feet, Smith County receives approximately 41.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pole Beans during the growing season.

Smith County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Smith County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 245 gal / 100 sq ft
Pole Beans needs ~1,281 GDD — county provides 4,120 GDD Excellent fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Smith County, TN

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Aug 14

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

201 days

Growing Tips for Smith 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 Smith County, TN?

Smith County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Pole Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Smith County, TN?

Smith County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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