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When to Plant Wax Beans in Hale 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.

Hale County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 244 days.

At an elevation of 405 feet, Hale County receives approximately 49.7 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.

Hale County, AL (Zone 7b) Long season
244 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
244 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Hale County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (133 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jun 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 28

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 314 gal / 100 sq ft
Wax Beans needs ~1,136 GDD — county provides 4,819 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Hale County, AL

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 11
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jul 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

244 days

Growing Tips for Hale 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 Hale County, AL?

Hale County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hale County, AL?

Hale County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hale County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Hale County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.