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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Hyde County, NC

Hyde County, North Carolina Zone 8b May

Top priorities for Hyde County, North Carolina gardeners in May

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Hyde County, North Carolina.

Avg. last frost March 22
Avg. first frost November 16
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Start yard long beans under lights

    These need a head start before your last frost (March 22). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

  2. Pick yard long beans

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

Get ahead of June
  • First harvests: yard long beans

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Yard long beans are a tropical legume that produces slender pods up to 24 inches long. They are a staple in Southeast Asian cooking and thrive in hot weather.

Hyde County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 239 days.

At an elevation of 638 feet, Hyde County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Yard Long Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Yard Long Beans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Hyde County, NC (Zone 8b) Long season
239 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
239 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16
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Hyde County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 29

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 Hyde County

How your county's soil matches Yard Long Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–6.6) overlaps with Yard Long Beans's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Hyde County is excellent for Yard Long Beans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Yard Long Beans.

How to Plant Yard Long Beans

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

Succession Planting Yard Long Beans

5
successive plantings in your 239-day season

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 288 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Yard Long Beans

Yard Long 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 Yard Long Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Yard Long 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.

Yard Long Beans needs ~1,434 GDD — county provides 5,078 GDD Excellent fit

Yard Long Beans Planting Timeline — Hyde County, NC

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 – Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 – Apr 19
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 19
Harvest May 31 May 31 – Jul 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

55–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

239 days in Hyde County

Growing Tips for Yard Long Beans in Hyde County

Direct sow Yard Long Beans outdoors after March 22 in Hyde County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Hyde County's clay soil (30% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Yard Long Beans. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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

General growing tips

Direct sow after soil is warm. Provide tall poles or trellising as vines can reach 8-10 feet. Harvest when pods are pencil-thick before seeds bulge. Cook quickly for best texture.

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 Yard Long Beans in Hyde County, NC?

Hyde County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hyde County, NC?

Hyde County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 16.

🌱

Your Hyde County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Hyde County (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 Hyde County, NC. 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.