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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Broomfield County, CO

Broomfield County, Colorado Zone 6a May

Top priorities for Broomfield County, Colorado gardeners in May

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Broomfield County, Colorado this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 14
Avg. first frost September 26
Soil temp (4") 38°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Time to transplant yard long beans

    Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.

  2. Sow yard long beans where they'll grow

    Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.

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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.

Broomfield County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 7,037 feet, Broomfield County receives approximately 13.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Yard Long Beans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Broomfield County, CO (Zone 6a) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 26

Broomfield County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: Jun 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Sep 30

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 Broomfield County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–8.2) overlaps with Yard Long Beans's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). 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

2
successive plantings in your 135-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 08 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 818 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Broomfield 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 ~1,029 GDD — county provides 2,058 GDD Excellent fit

Yard Long Beans Planting Timeline — Broomfield County, CO

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 – Jun 11
Direct Sow May 21 May 21 – Jun 11
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 – Sep 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

55–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

135 days in Broomfield County

Growing Tips for Yard Long Beans in Broomfield County

Direct sow Yard Long Beans outdoors after May 14 in Broomfield 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.

Broomfield County receives only 14" of rain annually. Yard Long Beans needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Broomfield County, CO?

Broomfield County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Broomfield County, CO?

Broomfield County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 26.

🌱

Your Broomfield County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Broomfield County (Zone 6a). 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 Broomfield County, CO. 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.