When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Madison County, AR
Your May planting checklist for Madison County, Arkansas
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Madison County, Arkansas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Begin indoor sowing: yard long beans
A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: yard long beans
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.
Madison County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.
At an elevation of 801 feet, Madison County receives approximately 54.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Yard Long Beans root diseases.
Madison County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.3-6.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Madison County
How your county's soil matches Yard Long Beans's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.3–6.5) is more acidic than Yard Long Beans prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Madison County is excellent for Yard Long Beans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Yard Long Beans.
How to Plant Yard Long Beans
Succession Planting Yard Long Beans
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 10 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 6.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 5.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.1" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 4.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Madison 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 Planting Timeline — Madison County, AR
Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 16 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 20 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Direct Sow | April 13 | Apr 13 – May 4 |
| Harvest | June 15 | Jun 15 – Jul 27 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
55–80 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
206 days in Madison County
Growing Tips for Yard Long Beans in Madison County
Direct sow Yard Long Beans outdoors after April 06 in Madison County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Yard Long Beans in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Yard Long Beans in Madison County, AR?
Madison County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Madison County, AR?
Madison County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 29.
Your Madison County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Madison County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.