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When to Plant Green Beans in East Feliciana Parish, LA

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana Zone 9a May

May to-do list for East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana

May is a pivotal month for East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost February 17
Avg. first frost December 2
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Basket week: green beans

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

June prep starts now
  • First harvests: green beans

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Green beans are a warm-season staple available as bush or pole types. Bush beans produce a concentrated harvest while pole beans provide a longer picking season.

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 17 and the first fall frost is December 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 288 days.

At an elevation of 75 feet, East Feliciana Parish receives approximately 55.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Green Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Green Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Green Beans root diseases.

East Feliciana Parish, LA (Zone 9a) Year-round
288 days
Last Spring Frost February 17
288 growing days
First Fall Frost December 2
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East Feliciana Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (172 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 11 🍅 Harvest: Apr 8 – Jun 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (176 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 17 🍅 Harvest: Apr 14 – Jun 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (172 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 1

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 East Feliciana Parish

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9–6.4) is more acidic than Green Beans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in East Feliciana Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Green Beans will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Green Beans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Green Beans.

How to Plant Green Beans

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

Succession Planting Green Beans

6
successive plantings in your 288-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 28 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Green Beans

Green Beans needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Green Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.9" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 3.9" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.9" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 3.7" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.9" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.9" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in East Feliciana Parish). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Green 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.

Green Beans needs ~1,265 GDD — county provides 6,358 GDD Excellent fit

Green Beans Planting Timeline — East Feliciana Parish, LA

Green Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 24 Feb 24 – Mar 17
Harvest April 21 Apr 21 – Jun 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

50–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

288 days in East Feliciana Parish

Growing Tips for Green Beans in East Feliciana Parish

Direct sow Green Beans outdoors after February 17 in East Feliciana Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in East Feliciana Parish dries quickly — mulch Green Beans with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 96°F in East Feliciana Parish, provide afternoon shade for Green Beans and water deeply in the morning.

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

General growing tips

Direct sow after last frost when soil is warm. Provide sturdy supports for pole varieties. Pick beans regularly when young and tender to encourage continued production.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Green Beans Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Allow pods to dry fully on vine until they rattle.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4 years at 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Avoid harvesting during damp weather. Isolate 25 ft between varieties.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Green Beans in East Feliciana Parish, LA?

East Feliciana Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 17. Plan your Green Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is East Feliciana Parish, LA?

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 17 and first fall frost is December 2.

🌱

Your East Feliciana Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for East Feliciana Parish (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 East Feliciana Parish, LA. 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.