When to Plant Yard Long Beans in San Miguel County, CO
May in San Miguel County, Colorado — your action list
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for San Miguel County, Colorado this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Transplants going out: yard long beans
- Direct-sowing: 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.
San Miguel County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 113 days.
At an elevation of 8,402 feet, San Miguel County receives approximately 21.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season.
San Miguel County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.6
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 San Miguel County
How your county's soil matches Yard Long Beans's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.6) overlaps with Yard Long Beans's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in San Miguel 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
Succession Planting Yard Long Beans
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 03 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 2.6" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 1.7" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.5" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in San Miguel 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 — San Miguel County, CO
Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 14 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 |
| Direct Sow | June 7 | Jun 7 – Jun 28 |
| Harvest | August 9 | Aug 9 – Sep 20 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | — |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | — |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| 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 5b
📆 Growing Season
113 days in San Miguel County
Growing Tips for Yard Long Beans in San Miguel County
Direct sow Yard Long Beans outdoors after May 31 in San Miguel 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.
San Miguel County receives only 22" 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
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 San Miguel County, CO?
San Miguel County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 31. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is San Miguel County, CO?
San Miguel County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 31 and first fall frost is September 21.
Your San Miguel County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for San Miguel County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.