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When to Plant Wax Beans in Kenedy County, TX

Kenedy County, Texas Zone 9b May

Your May planting checklist for Kenedy County, Texas

A quick May briefing for Kenedy County, Texas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost February 13
Avg. first frost December 13
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.3 hrs
  1. Start harvesting wax beans

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in 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.

Kenedy County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.

At an elevation of 1,757 feet, Kenedy County receives approximately 58.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 101°F, so Wax Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Wax Beans root diseases.

Kenedy County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
303 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
303 growing days
First Fall Frost December 13

Kenedy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (209 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 18 🍅 Harvest: Mar 15 – May 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (191 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – Jun 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (181 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jun 26

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 Kenedy County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.5) is more alkaline than Wax Beans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Wax Beans.

How to Plant Wax Beans

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

Succession Planting Wax Beans

7
successive plantings in your 303-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 09 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 511 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Kenedy 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 ~1,481 GDD — county provides 7,828 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline — Kenedy County, TX

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 13
Harvest April 17 Apr 17 – Jun 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
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 9b

📆 Growing Season

303 days in Kenedy County

Growing Tips for Wax Beans in Kenedy County

Direct sow Wax Beans outdoors after February 13 in Kenedy County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 101°F in Kenedy County, provide afternoon shade for Wax Beans and water deeply in the morning.

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 Kenedy County, TX?

Kenedy County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kenedy County, TX?

Kenedy County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 13.

🌱

Your Kenedy County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Kenedy County (Zone 9b). 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 Kenedy 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.