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When to Plant Wax Beans in Cherokee County, AL

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.

Cherokee County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 220 feet, Cherokee County receives approximately 51 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Wax Beans during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Wax Beans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Wax Beans root diseases.

Cherokee County, AL (Zone 7a) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Cherokee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 8

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Wax Beans needs ~1,136 GDD — county provides 4,088 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Cherokee County, AL

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Aug 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“65 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

207 days

Growing Tips for Cherokee County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Wax Beans in Cherokee County, AL?

Cherokee County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cherokee County, AL?

Cherokee County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cherokee County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Cherokee County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.