When to Plant Scarlet Runner Beans in Coos County, OR
Your May game plan for Coos County, Oregon
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Begin indoor sowing: scarlet runner beans
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
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Start harvesting scarlet runner beans
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
June prep starts now
- First harvests: scarlet runner beans
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.
Coos County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 242 days.
At an elevation of 96 feet, Coos County receives approximately 38.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Scarlet Runner Beans during the growing season.
Coos County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Coos County
How your county's soil matches Scarlet Runner Beans's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–6.8) overlaps with Scarlet Runner Beans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Coos County is excellent for Scarlet Runner Beans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.7%) — Scarlet Runner Beans will thrive.
How to Plant Scarlet Runner Beans
Succession Planting Scarlet Runner Beans
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 31 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 5.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.1" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 2.3" | 2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.6" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 0.6" | 3.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 0.8" | 3.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.3" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 5.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 5.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Coos 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 Planting Timeline — Coos County, OR
Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 8 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 29 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Direct Sow | March 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 12 |
| Harvest | May 31 | May 31 – Jul 5 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
60–80 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
242 days in Coos County
Growing Tips for Scarlet Runner Beans in Coos County
Direct sow Scarlet Runner Beans outdoors after March 22 in Coos 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Scarlet Runner Beans in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Scarlet Runner Beans in Coos County, OR?
Coos County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Scarlet Runner Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Coos County, OR?
Coos County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 19.
Your Coos County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Coos County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.