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When to Plant Scarlet Runner Beans in LaMoure County, ND

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.

LaMoure County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 999 feet, LaMoure County receives approximately 21.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Scarlet Runner Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

LaMoure County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
141 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

LaMoure County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Sep 15

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 LaMoure County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3โ€“7.6) overlaps with Scarlet Runner Beans's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). 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

2
successive plantings in your 141-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 11 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 524 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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€” 0.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 0.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in LaMoure 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 ~910 GDD — county provides 1,833 GDD Excellent fit

Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Timeline โ€” LaMoure County, ND

Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jun 15
Direct Sow May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 15
Harvest August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Sep 7

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

141 days in LaMoure County

Growing Tips for Scarlet Runner Beans in LaMoure County

Direct sow Scarlet Runner Beans outdoors after May 11 in LaMoure 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.

LaMoure County receives only 22" of rain annually. Scarlet Runner Beans needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 LaMoure County, ND?

LaMoure County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Scarlet Runner Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is LaMoure County, ND?

LaMoure County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help LaMoure County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 LaMoure County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.