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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Cullman County, AL

Yard long beans are a tropical legume that produces slender pods up to 24 inches long. They are a staple in Southeast Asian cooking and thrive in hot weather.

Cullman County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 219 days.

At an elevation of 347 feet, Cullman County receives approximately 53.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Yard Long Beans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Yard Long Beans root diseases.

Cullman County, AL (Zone 7a) Long season
219 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
219 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Cullman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – 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 Cullman County

How your county's soil matches Yard Long Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.8) overlaps with Yard Long Beans's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Cullman County is excellent for Yard Long Beans โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Yard Long Beans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Yard Long Beans.

How to Plant Yard Long Beans

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

Succession Planting Yard Long Beans

4
successive plantings in your 219-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 14 to harvest before frost.

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
Drought risk

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

Yard Long Beans needs ~1,232 GDD — county provides 3,996 GDD Excellent fit

Yard Long Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Cullman County, AL

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 โ€“ Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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

55โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

219 days in Cullman County

Growing Tips for Yard Long Beans in Cullman County

Direct sow Yard Long Beans outdoors after March 28 in Cullman County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Cullman County's clay soil (30% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Yard Long Beans. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Common pests for Yard Long 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 soil is warm. Provide tall poles or trellising as vines can reach 8-10 feet. Harvest when pods are pencil-thick before seeds bulge. Cook quickly for best texture.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Yard Long Beans in Cullman County, AL?

Cullman County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cullman County, AL?

Cullman County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cullman County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Cullman County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.