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When to Plant Wax Beans in Ben Hill County, GA

Ben Hill County, Georgia Zone 9a May

May in Ben Hill County, Georgia — your action list

Your garden in Ben Hill County, Georgia is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost March 9
Avg. first frost November 15
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Collect wax beans at their peak

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: wax beans

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Wax beans are a yellow-podded variety of snap beans with a buttery, slightly sweeter flavor than green beans. They are easy to spot on the plant for picking.

Ben Hill County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 251 days.

At an elevation of 261 feet, Ben Hill County receives approximately 56.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Wax Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Wax Beans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Wax Beans root diseases.

Ben Hill County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
251 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
251 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15
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Ben Hill County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Wax Beans

Wax 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 Wax Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Wax Beans Planting Timeline — Ben Hill County, GA

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 – Apr 6
Harvest May 11 May 11 – Jul 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

50–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

251 days in Ben Hill County

Growing Tips for Ben Hill County

Direct sow after last frost. Pick pods regularly when young and tender. Bush types produce a concentrated harvest while pole types yield longer. Avoid working around wet plants.

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 Wax Beans in Ben Hill County, GA?

Ben Hill County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ben Hill County, GA?

Ben Hill County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 15.

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Your Ben Hill County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Ben Hill County (Zone 9a). 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 Ben Hill County, GA. 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.