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When to plant Pole Beans in Au Gres, MI

Au Gres's 147-day season only supports one Pole Beans planting per year. Sow between May 19 and June 9 for the best chance at full maturity before October 6.

When to Plant Pole Beans in Au Gres, MI

Arenac County, Michigan Zone 5b July

July in Arenac County, Michigan — your action list

Your garden in Arenac County, Michigan is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this July.

Avg. last frost May 12
Avg. first frost October 6
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15 hrs

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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.

Au Gres, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 147 days.

At an elevation of 1,015 feet, Arenac County receives approximately 30.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Pole Beans during the growing season.

Au Gres, MI (Zone 5b) Short season
147 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
147 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Au Gres Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Pole Beans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: Jun 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 28

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 Au Gres

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.1) overlaps with Pole Beans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Pole Beans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — Pole Beans will thrive.

How to Plant Pole Beans

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

Succession Planting Pole Beans

3
successive plantings in your 147-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.

Pole Beans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 561 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Arenac 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 ~906 GDD — county provides 2,131 GDD Excellent fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline — Au Gres, MI

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 – Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors May 26 May 26 – Jun 9
Direct Sow May 19 May 19 – Jun 9
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 – Sep 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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

147 days in Arenac County

Growing Tips for Pole Beans in Au Gres

Direct sow Pole Beans outdoors after May 12 in Arenac 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 Au Gres, MI?

In Au Gres, MI, plant Pole Beans after the last frost (around May 12) and before the first frost (around October 6). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Au Gres, MI for Pole Beans?

Au Gres 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 Au Gres's climate?

Yes — Pole Beans grows well in Au Gres's temperate climate. Au Gres averages a 147-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 12 and first frost around October 6.

🌱

Your Arenac County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Arenac 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 Arenac County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.