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When to plant Pole Beans in Morrison,

Plant Pole Beans in Morrison from April 23 to May 14 in spring. Morrison sits in USDA Zone 5b, with last frost around April 16 and first frost on October 16.

When to Plant Pole Beans in Morrison, IL

Morrison, IL Zone 5b June

Your June planting checklist for Morrison, IL

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Morrison, IL this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 16
Avg. first frost October 16
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: pole beans

    Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.

  2. Harvest pole beans as they ripen

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

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: pole beans

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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.

Morrison, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 682 feet, Whiteside County receives approximately 30.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Pole Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Morrison, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16
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Morrison Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Pole Beans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 5

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 Morrison

How your county's soil matches Pole Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.7) overlaps with Pole Beans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Whiteside County is excellent for Pole Beans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (4.0%). Annual compost additions will help Pole Beans.

How to Plant Pole Beans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Pole Beans

3
successive plantings in your 183-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 07 to harvest before frost.

Pole Beans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 500 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Pole 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.

Pole Beans needs ~812 GDD — county provides 2,379 GDD Excellent fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline — Morrison, IL

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 – May 14
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 – May 14
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 – Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

55–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

183 days in Whiteside County

Growing Tips for Pole Beans in Morrison

Direct sow Pole Beans outdoors after April 16 in Whiteside County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Pole Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 →

When should I plant Pole Beans in Morrison, ?

In Morrison, , plant Pole Beans after the last frost (around April 16) and before the first frost (around October 16). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Morrison, for Pole Beans?

Morrison sits in USDA Zone 5b. Pole Beans grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Pole Beans grow in Morrison's climate?

Yes — Pole Beans grows well in Morrison's temperate climate. Morrison averages a 183-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 16 and first frost around October 16.

🌱

Your Whiteside County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Whiteside 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.

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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 Whiteside County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.