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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Kendall 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.

Kendall County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 708 feet, Kendall County receives approximately 38.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season.

Kendall County, IL (Zone 5a) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Kendall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Aug 29

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.

Soil Compatibility in Kendall County

How your county's soil matches Yard Long Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1โ€“6.8) is within Yard Long Beans's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Kendall County is excellent for Yard Long Beans โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.9%) โ€” Yard Long Beans will thrive.

How to Plant Yard Long Beans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Yard Long Beans

3
successive plantings in your 180-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 29 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 174 gal / 100 sq ft
Yard Long Beans needs ~928 GDD — county provides 2,475 GDD Excellent fit

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

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 18
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Aug 10

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 Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

55โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

180 days in Kendall County

Growing Tips for Yard Long Beans in Kendall County

Direct sow Yard Long Beans outdoors after April 20 in Kendall County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Yard Long Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Kendall County, IL?

Kendall County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kendall County, IL?

Kendall County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kendall County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Kendall County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.