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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Sumter 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.

Sumter County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 335 feet, Sumter County receives approximately 56.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, 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.

Sumter County, AL (Zone 7b) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Sumter County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 20 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 30

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
Yard Long Beans needs ~1,384 GDD — county provides 4,756 GDD Excellent fit

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

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 31 Jan 31 โ€“ Feb 14
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 18
Harvest May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jul 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors 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

55โ€“80 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

232 days

Growing Tips for Sumter County

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 Sumter County, AL?

Sumter County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sumter County, AL?

Sumter County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 8.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sumter County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Sumter County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.