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When to Plant Pole Beans in Yakima County, WA

Pole beans are climbing varieties of green beans that produce over a much longer season than bush types. They require trellising but yield more per square foot.

Yakima County, Washington is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 150 days.

At an elevation of 3,150 feet, Yakima County receives approximately 18 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Pole Beans during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Pole Beans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Yakima County, WA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
150 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
150 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Yakima County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Pole Beans

Pole 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 Pole Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.3" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.3" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Pole Beans Planting Timeline — Yakima County, WA

Pole Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 – Jun 3
Direct Sow May 13 May 13 – Jun 3
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 – Sep 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

55–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

150 days in Yakima County

Growing Tips for Yakima County

Provide sturdy 6-8 foot poles, tepees, or trellises. Direct sow after last frost. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. Beans fix nitrogen benefiting following crops.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pole Beans in Yakima County, WA?

Yakima County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Pole Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yakima County, WA?

Yakima County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 3.

🌱

Your Yakima County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Yakima 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 Yakima County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.