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When to Plant Wax Beans in Kauai County, HI

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.

Kauai County, Hawaii is in USDA Zone 11a. The average last spring frost is January 1 and the first fall frost is December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.

At an elevation of 577 feet, Kauai County receives approximately 89.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silty clay soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, 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.

Kauai County, HI (Zone 11a) Year-round
364 days
Last Spring Frost January 1
364 growing days
First Fall Frost December 31

Kauai County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silty Clay

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5

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 ~1,006 GDD — county provides 6,387 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Kauai County, HI

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 8 Jan 8 โ€“ Jan 29
Harvest March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Apr 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Direct Sow
February โ€”
March Harvest
April Harvest
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
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 11a

Growing Season

364 days

Growing Tips for Kauai 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 Kauai County, HI?

Kauai County is in Zone 11a with an average last frost of January 1. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kauai County, HI?

Kauai County, Hawaii is in USDA Hardiness Zone 11a. The average last spring frost is January 1 and first fall frost is December 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kauai County gardeners in Zone 11a 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 Kauai County, HI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.