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When to Plant Wax Beans in Huerfano County, CO

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.

Huerfano County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 7,235 feet, Huerfano County receives approximately 15.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Wax Beans to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Wax Beans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Huerfano County, CO (Zone 5b) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
141 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Huerfano County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 4

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
0.5″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,276 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Wax Beans needs ~704 GDD — county provides 1,727 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Huerfano County, CO

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 9
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Sep 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

141 days

Growing Tips for Huerfano 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 Huerfano County, CO?

Huerfano County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Huerfano County, CO?

Huerfano County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is September 30.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Huerfano County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Huerfano County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.