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When to Plant Wax Beans in Clarendon County, SC

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.

Clarendon County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 237 days.

At an elevation of 291 feet, Clarendon County receives approximately 53.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Wax Beans during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Wax Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Wax Beans root diseases.

Clarendon County, SC (Zone 8a) Long season
237 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
237 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Clarendon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 28

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 ~1,179 GDD — county provides 4,858 GDD Excellent fit

Wax Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Clarendon County, SC

Wax Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jul 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 8a

Growing Season

237 days

Growing Tips for Clarendon 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 Clarendon County, SC?

Clarendon County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Wax Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clarendon County, SC?

Clarendon County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clarendon County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Clarendon County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.