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When to Plant Wax Beans in Collingsworth County, TX

Collingsworth County, Texas Zone 7b May

May in the garden — Collingsworth County, Texas

Here's what deserves your attention in Collingsworth County, Texas this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost March 28
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Harvest wax beans as they ripen

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Looking ahead to June
  • First harvests: wax beans

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Wax beans are a yellow-podded variety of snap beans with a buttery, slightly sweeter flavor than green beans. They are easy to spot on the plant for picking.

Collingsworth County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 4,944 feet, Collingsworth County receives approximately 48.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Wax Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Wax Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Collingsworth County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Collingsworth County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – 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 Collingsworth County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.4–8.6) is more alkaline than Wax Beans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Collingsworth County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Wax Beans will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.0%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Wax Beans.

How to Plant Wax Beans

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

Succession Planting Wax Beans

5
successive plantings in your 223-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 02 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 202 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Wax Beans

Wax 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 Wax Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 9.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Wax 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.

Wax Beans needs ~1,222 GDD — county provides 4,738 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline — Collingsworth County, TX

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 25
Harvest May 30 May 30 – Jul 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

50–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

223 days in Collingsworth County

Growing Tips for Wax Beans in Collingsworth County

Direct sow Wax Beans outdoors after March 28 in Collingsworth County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Collingsworth County dries quickly — mulch Wax Beans with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Common pests for Wax 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 last frost. Pick pods regularly when young and tender. Bush types produce a concentrated harvest while pole types yield longer. Avoid working around wet plants.

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 Wax Beans in Collingsworth County, TX?

Collingsworth County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Collingsworth County, TX?

Collingsworth County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Your Collingsworth County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Collingsworth 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 Collingsworth County, TX. 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.