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When to Plant Wax Beans in Sublette County, WY

Sublette County, Wyoming Zone 4b May

Sublette County, Wyoming gardeners: here's your May plan

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Sublette County, Wyoming this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost June 22
Avg. first frost August 24
Soil temp (4") 36°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs

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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.

Sublette County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 22 and the first fall frost is August 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 63 days.

At an elevation of 5,005 feet, Sublette County receives approximately 22.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Wax Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Sublette County, WY (Zone 4b) Very short season
63 days
Last Spring Frost June 22
63 growing days
First Fall Frost August 24
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Sublette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 7
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 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 Sublette County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.8) 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 Sublette 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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.5″/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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Oct 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Aug in Sublette 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 ~618 GDD — county provides 677 GDD Good fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline — Sublette County, WY

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow July 6 Jul 6 – Jul 27
Harvest August 31 Aug 31 – Oct 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June
July Direct Sow
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

63 days in Sublette County

Growing Tips for Wax Beans in Sublette County

Direct sow Wax Beans outdoors after June 22 in Sublette 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.

Sublette County receives only 23" of rain annually. Wax Beans needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Sublette County, WY?

Sublette County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of June 22. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sublette County, WY?

Sublette County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 22 and first fall frost is August 24.

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Your Sublette County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Sublette County (Zone 4b). 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 Sublette County, WY. 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.