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When to Plant Pole Beans in Webster County, MO

Webster County, Missouri Zone 6b May

May to-do list for Webster County, Missouri

May is a pivotal month for Webster County, Missouri gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 11
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
June prep starts now
  • Starting indoors: pole beans
  • 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.

Webster County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 1,274 feet, Webster County receives approximately 38.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Pole Beans during the growing season.

Webster County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Webster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27

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 Webster County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.6) overlaps with Pole Beans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Webster 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 moderate (2.6%). 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

4
successive plantings in your 194-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 13 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Webster 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 ~1,047 GDD — county provides 3,249 GDD Excellent fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline — Webster County, MO

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 – May 9
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 – May 9
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 – Aug 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

55–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

194 days in Webster County

Growing Tips for Pole Beans in Webster County

Direct sow Pole Beans outdoors after April 11 in Webster 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pole Beans in Webster County, MO?

Webster County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Pole Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Webster County, MO?

Webster County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 22.

🌱

Your Webster County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Webster County (Zone 6b). 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 Webster County, MO. 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.