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When to Plant Pole Beans in Sauk County, WI

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.

Sauk County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 1,002 feet, Sauk County receives approximately 30.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Pole Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Sauk County, WI (Zone 4b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Sauk County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Pole Beans

Pole Beans needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Pole Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.3" 2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 2.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Sauk County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Pole Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Sauk County, WI

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 7
Direct Sow May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jun 7
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Sep 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

55โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

157 days in Sauk County

Growing Tips for Sauk 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pole Beans in Sauk County, WI?

Sauk County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Pole Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sauk County, WI?

Sauk County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sauk County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Sauk County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.