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When to Plant Pole Beans in Clinton County, IL

Pole beans are climbing varieties of green beans that produce over a much longer season than bush types. They require trellising but yield more per square foot.

Clinton County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 1,142 feet, Clinton County receives approximately 38.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pole Beans during the growing season.

Clinton County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Clinton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Pole Beans

Pole 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 Pole Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 2.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Clinton County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Pole Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Clinton County, IL

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Aug 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

55โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

192 days in Clinton County

Growing Tips for Clinton County

Provide sturdy 6-8 foot poles, tepees, or trellises. Direct sow after last frost. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. Beans fix nitrogen benefiting following crops.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pole Beans in Clinton County, IL?

Clinton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Pole Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clinton County, IL?

Clinton County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clinton County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Clinton County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.