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When to Plant Wax Beans in Cherry County, NE

Wax beans are a yellow-podded variety of snap beans with a buttery, slightly sweeter flavor than green beans. They are easy to spot on the plant for picking.

Cherry County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 149 days.

At an elevation of 980 feet, Cherry County receives approximately 24.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Wax Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Cherry County, NE (Zone 5a) Short season
149 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
149 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Cherry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Wax Beans

Wax 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 Wax Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Cherry County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Wax Beans Planting Timeline — Cherry County, NE

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 17 May 17 – Jun 7
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 – Sep 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

50–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

149 days in Cherry County

Growing Tips for Cherry County

Direct sow after last frost. Pick pods regularly when young and tender. Bush types produce a concentrated harvest while pole types yield longer. Avoid working around wet plants.

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 Wax Beans in Cherry County, NE?

Cherry County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cherry County, NE?

Cherry County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 6.

🌱

Your Cherry County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cherry County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cherry County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.