When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Cass 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.
Cass County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.
At an elevation of 703 feet, Cass County receives approximately 31.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Yard Long Beans to ensure they mature before fall.
Cass County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6-7.2
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Yard Long Beans Planting Timeline — Cass County, IL
Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 18 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 29 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Direct Sow | April 22 | Apr 22 – May 13 |
| Harvest | June 24 | Jun 24 – Aug 5 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
55–80 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
USDA Zone
Zone 5b
Growing Season
184 days
Growing Tips for Cass 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
Level Up Your Garden
Yard Long Beans in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Yard Long Beans in Cass County, IL?
Cass County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Cass County, IL?
Cass County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 16.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Cass County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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