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When to Plant Wax Beans in Randall County, TX

Randall County, Texas Zone 7a May

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Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • 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.

Randall County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 1,230 feet, Randall County receives approximately 57.2 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Wax Beans root diseases.

Randall County, TX (Zone 7a) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Randall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20

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 Randall County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.7–8.3) is more alkaline than Wax Beans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Wax Beans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.1%). 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

4
successive plantings in your 192-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 20 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 100 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 8.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 11.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Randall 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 4,080 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline — Randall County, TX

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 – May 13
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 – Aug 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

192 days in Randall County

Growing Tips for Wax Beans in Randall County

Direct sow Wax Beans outdoors after April 15 in Randall County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Randall 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 Randall County, TX?

Randall County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Randall County, TX?

Randall County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 24.

🌱

Your Randall County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Randall County (Zone 7a). 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 Randall 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.