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When to Plant Scarlet Runner Beans in Jackson County, OK

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.

Jackson County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.

At an elevation of 695 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 28.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Scarlet Runner Beans during the growing season.

Jackson County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
213 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
213 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 5

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 Jackson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.7) is more alkaline than Scarlet Runner Beans prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Jackson County is excellent for Scarlet Runner Beans โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) โ€” Scarlet Runner Beans will thrive.

How to Plant Scarlet Runner Beans

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

Succession Planting Scarlet Runner Beans

4
successive plantings in your 213-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 16 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 987 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Nov in Jackson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 4,047 GDD Excellent fit

Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, OK

Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Jul 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

213 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Scarlet Runner Beans in Jackson County

Direct sow Scarlet Runner Beans outdoors after April 05 in Jackson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Jackson County, OK?

Jackson County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Scarlet Runner Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, OK?

Jackson County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is November 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Jackson County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.