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When to Plant Scarlet Runner Beans in Yadkin County, NC

Yadkin County, North Carolina Zone 7b May

What to do in May

Each item below is timed to Yadkin County, North Carolina's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 11
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Start scarlet runner beans indoors

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: scarlet runner beans

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Scarlet runner beans are ornamental and edible climbing beans with vivid red flowers that attract hummingbirds. Both the young pods and mature beans are edible.

Yadkin County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 7b. 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 638 feet, Yadkin County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Scarlet Runner Beans during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Scarlet Runner Beans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Scarlet Runner Beans root diseases.

Yadkin County, NC (Zone 7b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Yadkin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 21

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 Yadkin County

How your county's soil matches Scarlet Runner Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.4) overlaps with Scarlet Runner Beans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Yadkin County is excellent for Scarlet Runner Beans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Scarlet Runner Beans.

How to Plant Scarlet Runner Beans

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

Succession Planting Scarlet Runner Beans

3
successive plantings in your 194-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Scarlet Runner Beans

Scarlet Runner 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 Scarlet Runner Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Scarlet Runner 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.

Scarlet Runner Beans needs ~1,330 GDD — county provides 3,686 GDD Excellent fit

Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Timeline — Yadkin County, NC

Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 – May 9
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 – May 9
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Aug 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
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

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

194 days in Yadkin County

Growing Tips for Scarlet Runner Beans in Yadkin County

Direct sow Scarlet Runner Beans outdoors after April 11 in Yadkin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Yadkin County's clay soil (29% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Scarlet Runner Beans. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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

General growing tips

Provide tall trellising for vigorous vines. Direct sow after frost. Harvest pods young for snap beans or let mature for shelling beans. Tubers are perennial in mild climates.

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 Scarlet Runner Beans in Yadkin County, NC?

Yadkin County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Scarlet Runner Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yadkin County, NC?

Yadkin County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Your Yadkin County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Yadkin County (Zone 7b). 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 Yadkin 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.