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When to Plant Scarlet Runner Beans in Wayne County, MO

Scarlet runner beans are ornamental and edible climbing beans with vivid red flowers that attract hummingbirds. Both the young pods and mature beans are edible.

Wayne County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,103 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Scarlet Runner Beans during the growing season.

Wayne County, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Wayne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 12

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.

Soil Compatibility in Wayne County

How your county's soil matches Scarlet Runner Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“7.0) overlaps with Scarlet Runner Beans's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Wayne County is excellent for Scarlet Runner Beans โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Scarlet Runner Beans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Scarlet Runner Beans.

How to Plant Scarlet Runner Beans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Scarlet Runner Beans

4
successive plantings in your 209-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 13 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Scarlet Runner Beans

Scarlet Runner 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 Scarlet Runner Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

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

Scarlet Runner Beans Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Scarlet Runner Beans needs ~1,015 GDD — county provides 3,030 GDD Excellent fit

Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Wayne County, MO

Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 โ€“ Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Jul 27

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

209 days in Wayne County

Growing Tips for Scarlet Runner Beans in Wayne County

Direct sow Scarlet Runner Beans outdoors after April 06 in Wayne County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Scarlet Runner Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Provide tall trellising for vigorous vines. Direct sow after frost. Harvest pods young for snap beans or let mature for shelling beans. Tubers are perennial in mild climates.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Scarlet Runner Beans in Wayne County, MO?

Wayne County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Scarlet Runner Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wayne County, MO?

Wayne County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wayne County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Wayne County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.