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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Dougherty County, GA

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.

Dougherty County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost is November 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 256 days.

At an elevation of 269 feet, Dougherty County receives approximately 54.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Yard Long Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Dougherty County, GA (Zone 8a) Long season
256 days
Last Spring Frost March 7
256 growing days
First Fall Frost November 18

Dougherty County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 10 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jun 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 16

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Yard Long Beans needs ~1,485 GDD — county provides 5,632 GDD Excellent fit

Yard Long Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Dougherty County, GA

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 17 Jan 17 โ€“ Jan 31
Transplant Outdoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Direct Sow March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Apr 4
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jun 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

256 days

Growing Tips for Dougherty 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 Dougherty County, GA?

Dougherty County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 7. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dougherty County, GA?

Dougherty County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 7 and first fall frost is November 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dougherty 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 Dougherty County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.