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When to Plant Wax Beans in Mesa 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.

Mesa County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 6,091 feet, Mesa County receives approximately 23.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Wax Beans during the growing season.

Mesa County, CO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Mesa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 674 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Wax Beans needs ~1,049 GDD — county provides 2,938 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Mesa County, CO

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 29
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Aug 28

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 6b

Growing Season

161 days

Growing Tips for Mesa 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 Mesa County, CO?

Mesa County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mesa County, CO?

Mesa County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mesa County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Mesa County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.