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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Clinton 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.

Clinton County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 1,142 feet, Clinton County receives approximately 38.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season.

Clinton County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Clinton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 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.

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 342 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Yard Long Beans needs ~928 GDD — county provides 2,640 GDD Excellent fit

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

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Jul 31

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 6a

Growing Season

192 days

Growing Tips for Clinton 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 Clinton County, IL?

Clinton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clinton County, IL?

Clinton County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clinton County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Clinton County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.