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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Gallatin 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.

Gallatin County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 1,391 feet, Gallatin County receives approximately 37 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season.

Gallatin County, IL (Zone 6b) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Gallatin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 7

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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 551 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 2,846 GDD Excellent fit

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

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 โ€“ Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Jul 27

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 6b

Growing Season

207 days

Growing Tips for Gallatin 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 Gallatin County, IL?

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

What planting zone is Gallatin County, IL?

Gallatin County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 30.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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