Blog

When to Plant Scarlet Runner Beans in Addison County, VT

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.

Addison County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 1,052 feet, Addison County receives approximately 46.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Scarlet Runner Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Addison County, VT (Zone 4b) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
141 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Addison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: Jun 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Sep 29

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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Scarlet Runner Beans needs ~700 GDD — county provides 1,410 GDD Excellent fit

Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Addison County, VT

Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jun 18
Direct Sow May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 18
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Sep 10

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

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 4b

Growing Season

141 days

Growing Tips for Addison County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Scarlet Runner Beans in Addison County, VT?

Addison County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Scarlet Runner Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Addison County, VT?

Addison County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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