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When to Plant Scarlet Runner Beans in Red River Parish, LA

Red River Parish, Louisiana Zone 8b May

Your May game plan for Red River Parish, Louisiana

A quick May briefing for Red River Parish, Louisiana gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 8
Avg. first frost November 16
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Basket week: scarlet runner 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: scarlet runner beans

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Scarlet runner beans are ornamental and edible climbing beans with vivid red flowers that attract hummingbirds. Both the young pods and mature beans are edible.

Red River Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 253 days.

At an elevation of 477 feet, Red River Parish receives approximately 56.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Scarlet Runner Beans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Scarlet Runner Beans root diseases.

Red River Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Long season
253 days
Last Spring Frost March 8
253 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Red River Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Scarlet Runner Beans

Scarlet Runner 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 Scarlet Runner Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Timeline — Red River Parish, LA

Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 18 Jan 18 – Feb 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 – Apr 5
Harvest May 24 May 24 – Jun 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

253 days in Red River Parish

Growing Tips for Red River Parish

Provide tall trellising for vigorous vines. Direct sow after frost. Harvest pods young for snap beans or let mature for shelling beans. Tubers are perennial in mild climates.

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 Scarlet Runner Beans in Red River Parish, LA?

Red River Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 8. Plan your Scarlet Runner Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Red River Parish, LA?

Red River Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 16.

🌱

Your Red River Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Red River Parish (Zone 8b). 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 Red River 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.