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When to Plant Pole Beans in LaMoure County, ND

LaMoure County, North Dakota Zone 4b May

May to-do list for LaMoure County, North Dakota

Your LaMoure County, North Dakota garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost May 11
Avg. first frost September 29
Soil temp (4") 55°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Scatter pole beans into prepared beds

    Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • Transplants going out: 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.

LaMoure County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 999 feet, LaMoure County receives approximately 21.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Pole Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

LaMoure County, ND (Zone 4b) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
141 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29
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LaMoure County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 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 LaMoure County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.6) overlaps with Pole Beans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in LaMoure County is excellent for Pole Beans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). 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

2
successive plantings in your 141-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 21 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 524 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in LaMoure 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 ~812 GDD — county provides 1,833 GDD Excellent fit

Pole Beans Planting Timeline — LaMoure County, ND

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors June 1 Jun 1 – Jun 15
Direct Sow May 25 May 25 – Jun 15
Harvest July 27 Jul 27 – Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

55–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

141 days in LaMoure County

Growing Tips for Pole Beans in LaMoure County

Direct sow Pole Beans outdoors after May 11 in LaMoure 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.

LaMoure County receives only 22" of rain annually. Pole Beans needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 LaMoure County, ND?

LaMoure County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Pole Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is LaMoure County, ND?

LaMoure County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 29.

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Your LaMoure County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for LaMoure County (Zone 4b). 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 LaMoure County, ND. 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.