Blog

When to Plant Wax Beans in Doniphan County, KS

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.

Doniphan County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 491 feet, Doniphan County receives approximately 26.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Wax Beans during the growing season.

Doniphan County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 17
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Doniphan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,357 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Wax Beans needs ~834 GDD — county provides 2,668 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Doniphan County, KS

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 15
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Aug 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

184 days

Growing Tips for Doniphan 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 Doniphan County, KS?

Doniphan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Doniphan County, KS?

Doniphan County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Doniphan County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Doniphan County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.