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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Jefferson Davis Parish, LA

Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana Zone 9a May

What to do in May

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost February 13
Avg. first frost December 7
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Bring in the yard long beans

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

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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.

Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 297 days.

At an elevation of 381 feet, Jefferson Davis Parish receives approximately 61.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Yard Long Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Yard Long Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Yard Long Beans root diseases.

Jefferson Davis Parish, LA (Zone 9a) Year-round
297 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
297 growing days
First Fall Frost December 7

Jefferson Davis Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (200 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 19 Transplant: Feb 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 3 – May 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (192 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 2 Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – May 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (187 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jun 19

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 Jefferson Davis Parish

How your county's soil matches Yard Long Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.3) is more acidic than Yard Long Beans prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Jefferson Davis Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Yard Long Beans will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Yard Long Beans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (2.0%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Yard Long Beans.

How to Plant Yard Long Beans

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

Succession Planting Yard Long Beans

6
successive plantings in your 297-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 18 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

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 5.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 4.3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Jefferson Davis Parish). 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 needs ~1,434 GDD — county provides 6,332 GDD Excellent fit

Yard Long Beans Planting Timeline — Jefferson Davis Parish, LA

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 2 Jan 2 – Jan 16
Transplant Outdoors February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6
Direct Sow February 13 Feb 13 – Mar 6
Harvest April 17 Apr 17 – May 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

55–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

297 days in Jefferson Davis Parish

Growing Tips for Yard Long Beans in Jefferson Davis Parish

Direct sow Yard Long Beans outdoors after February 13 in Jefferson Davis Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

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.

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

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Yard Long Beans in Jefferson Davis Parish, LA?

Jefferson Davis Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson Davis Parish, LA?

Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 7.

🌱

Your Jefferson Davis Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Jefferson Davis 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 Jefferson Davis 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.