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When to Plant Wax Beans in Clark County, NV

Clark County, Nevada Zone 9b May

This month in Clark County, Nevada

Here's what deserves your attention in Clark County, Nevada this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 9b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost February 28
Avg. first frost November 23
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Bring in the wax beans

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • First harvests: wax beans

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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.

Clark County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 28 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 268 days.

At an elevation of 2,811 feet, Clark County receives approximately 9.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 111°F, so Wax Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Wax Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Wax Beans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Clark County, NV (Zone 9b) Long season
268 days
Last Spring Frost February 28
268 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23
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Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.3-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (161 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 11 🍅 Harvest: Apr 8 – Jun 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (156 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Apr 25 – Jun 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 26

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 Clark County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.3–8.4) is more alkaline than Wax Beans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Clark County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Wax Beans will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Wax Beans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Wax Beans.

How to Plant Wax Beans

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

Succession Planting Wax Beans

6
successive plantings in your 268-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 19 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.2″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 3,318 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Apr 4.3" 0.3" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.3" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 0.5" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Wax 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.

Wax Beans needs ~1,912 GDD — county provides 8,944 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline — Clark County, NV

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 7 Mar 7 – Mar 28
Harvest May 2 May 2 – Jun 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

268 days in Clark County

Growing Tips for Wax Beans in Clark County

Direct sow Wax Beans outdoors after February 28 in Clark County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Clark County dries quickly — mulch Wax Beans with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 111°F in Clark County, provide afternoon shade for Wax Beans and water deeply in the morning.

Common pests for Wax Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Clark County receives only 9" of rain annually. Wax Beans needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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 Clark County, NV?

Clark County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 28. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, NV?

Clark County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 28 and first fall frost is November 23.

🌱

Your Clark County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Clark County (Zone 9b). 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 Clark County, NV. 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.