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When to Plant Wax Beans in Montague County, TX

Montague County, Texas Zone 8a May

May to-do list for Montague County, Texas

Each item below is timed to Montague County, Texas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 28
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 55°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Start harvesting wax beans

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • 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.

Montague County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. 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 4,867 feet, Montague County receives approximately 58.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Wax Beans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Wax Beans root diseases.

Montague County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6
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Montague County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6

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 Montague County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.3) overlaps with Wax Beans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (2.0%). 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 10.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Montague 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 ~1,179 GDD — county provides 4,571 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline — Montague 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
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

50–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

223 days in Montague County

Growing Tips for Wax Beans in Montague County

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

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 Montague County, TX?

Montague County is in Zone 8a 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 Montague County, TX?

Montague County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Your Montague County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Montague County (Zone 8a). 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 Montague 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.