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When to plant Yard Long Beans in Lowndes County, AL

Aim to plant Yard Long Beans in Lowndes County on or after March 22; the window stays open through April 12. Lowndes County's 243-day frost-free season gives you enough for a full main crop and a short fall succession.

When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Lowndes County, AL

Lowndes County, Alabama Zone 8b June

Your June planting checklist for Lowndes County, Alabama

Your garden in Lowndes County, Alabama is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost March 15
Avg. first frost November 13
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.1 hrs

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Yard long beans are a tropical legume that produces slender pods up to 24 inches long. They are a staple in Southeast Asian cooking and thrive in hot weather.

Lowndes County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 392 feet, Lowndes County receives approximately 57.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Yard Long Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Yard Long Beans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Yard Long Beans root diseases.

Lowndes County, AL (Zone 8b) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Lowndes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Yard Long Beans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 28

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 Lowndes County

How your county's soil matches Yard Long Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.5) overlaps with Yard Long Beans's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Lowndes County is excellent for Yard Long Beans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Yard Long Beans.

How to Plant Yard Long Beans

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

Succession Planting Yard Long Beans

5
successive plantings in your 243-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 25 to harvest before frost.

Yard Long Beans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 10 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Yard Long Beans

Yard Long 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 Yard Long Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Lowndes County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Yard Long 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" — every day above 50°F 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.

Yard Long Beans needs ~1,434 GDD — county provides 5,163 GDD Excellent fit

Yard Long Beans Planting Timeline — Lowndes County, AL

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 25 Jan 25 – Feb 8
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 12
Harvest May 24 May 24 – Jul 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

55–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

243 days in Lowndes County

Growing Tips for Yard Long Beans in Lowndes County

Direct sow Yard Long Beans outdoors after March 15 in Lowndes County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Lowndes County's clay soil (26% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Yard Long Beans. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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

General growing tips

Direct sow after soil is warm. Provide tall poles or trellising as vines can reach 8-10 feet. Harvest when pods are pencil-thick before seeds bulge. Cook quickly for best texture.

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 Yard Long Beans in Lowndes County, AL?

Lowndes County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lowndes County, AL?

Lowndes County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and first fall frost is November 13.

When should I plant Yard Long Beans in Lowndes County, AL?

In Lowndes County, AL, plant Yard Long Beans after the last frost (around March 15) and before the first frost (around November 13). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lowndes County, AL for Yard Long Beans?

Lowndes County sits in USDA Zone 8b. Yard Long Beans grows reliably in zones 5a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Yard Long Beans grow in Lowndes County's climate?

Yes — Yard Long Beans grows well in Lowndes County's temperate climate. Lowndes County averages a 243-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 15 and first frost around November 13.

🌱

Your Lowndes County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lowndes County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Lowndes County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.