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When to Plant Wax Beans in Kiowa 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.

Kiowa County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 7,992 feet, Kiowa County receives approximately 19.1 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.

Kiowa County, CO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Kiowa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2

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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 884 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Wax Beans needs ~704 GDD — county provides 1,996 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Kiowa County, CO

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Aug 26

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 โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

163 days

Growing Tips for Kiowa 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 Kiowa County, CO?

Kiowa County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kiowa County, CO?

Kiowa County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kiowa 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 Kiowa County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.