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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Bureau County, IL

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.

Bureau County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 613 feet, Bureau County receives approximately 34.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Yard Long Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Bureau County, IL (Zone 5a) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Bureau County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 25

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 253 gal / 100 sq ft
Yard Long Beans needs ~878 GDD — county provides 2,275 GDD Excellent fit

Yard Long Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Bureau County, IL

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Aug 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Bureau 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 Bureau County, IL?

Bureau County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bureau County, IL?

Bureau County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 14.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bureau County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Bureau County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.