Blog

When to Plant Wax Beans in Bates County, MO

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.

Bates County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 1,397 feet, Bates County receives approximately 39 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Wax Beans during the growing season.

Bates County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Bates County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9

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.

Soil Compatibility in Bates County

How your county's soil matches Wax Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.8) overlaps with Wax Beans's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Bates County is excellent for Wax Beans โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Wax Beans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Wax Beans.

How to Plant Wax Beans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Wax Beans

4
successive plantings in your 199-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 21 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 2,885 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Bates County, MO

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Aug 6

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“65 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

199 days in Bates County

Growing Tips for Wax Beans in Bates County

Direct sow Wax Beans outdoors after April 09 in Bates County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Wax Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Bates County, MO?

Bates County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bates County, MO?

Bates County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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