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When to Plant Green Beans in Dillingham Census Area, AK

Dillingham Census Area, Alaska Zone 4b May

Dillingham Census Area, Alaska gardeners: here's your May plan

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Soil temp (4") 48°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 16.8 hrs

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Green beans are a warm-season staple available as bush or pole types. Bush beans produce a concentrated harvest while pole beans provide a longer picking season.

Dillingham Census Area, Alaska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is September 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 128 days.

At an elevation of 410 feet, Dillingham Census Area receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 60°F, so choose short-season varieties of Green Beans to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Green Beans root diseases.

Dillingham Census Area, AK (Zone 4b) Short season
128 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
128 growing days
First Fall Frost September 6

Dillingham Census Area Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5

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 Dillingham Census Area

How your county's soil matches Green Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.0–6.2) is more acidic than Green Beans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Dillingham Census Area is excellent for Green Beans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Green Beans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (6.6%) — Green Beans will thrive.

How to Plant Green Beans

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

Plant Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Green Beans

Green Beans needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Green Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.9" 2.3" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.9" 3.5" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3.9" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 8.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 6.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Dillingham Census Area). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Green 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.

Green Beans needs ~0 GDD — county provides 0 GDD May not mature

Green Beans Planting Timeline — Dillingham Census Area, AK

Green Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 15 May 15 – Jun 5
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 – Sep 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

50–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

128 days in Dillingham Census Area

Growing Tips for Green Beans in Dillingham Census Area

Common pests for Green 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 last frost when soil is warm. Provide sturdy supports for pole varieties. Pick beans regularly when young and tender to encourage continued production.

Recommended Green Beans Varieties for Dillingham Census Area

Bush beans that mature quickly for short seasons

Provider (50d) Contender (48d) Royal Burgundy (55d)

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Green Beans Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Allow pods to dry fully on vine until they rattle.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4 years at 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Avoid harvesting during damp weather. Isolate 25 ft between varieties.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Green Beans in Dillingham Census Area, AK?

Dillingham Census Area is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Green Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dillingham Census Area, AK?

Dillingham Census Area, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is September 6.

🌱

Your Dillingham Census Area Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Dillingham Census Area (Zone 4b). 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 Dillingham Census Area, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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