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When to Plant Wax Beans in Grand Forks County, ND

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.

Grand Forks County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 572 feet, Grand Forks County receives approximately 27.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 79ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Wax Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Grand Forks County, ND (Zone 3b) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
142 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Grand Forks County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 274 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Wax Beans needs ~532 GDD — county provides 1,313 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Grand Forks County, ND

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 15
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Sep 14

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 Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 3b

Growing Season

142 days

Growing Tips for Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks County, ND?

Grand Forks County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grand Forks County, ND?

Grand Forks County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grand Forks County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Grand Forks County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.