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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Saline 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.

Saline County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 748 feet, Saline County receives approximately 41.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season.

Saline County, IL (Zone 6b) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Saline County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 11

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 235 gal / 100 sq ft
Yard Long Beans needs ~1,080 GDD — county provides 3,184 GDD Excellent fit

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

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Jul 29

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

199 days

Growing Tips for Saline 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 Saline County, IL?

Saline County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Saline County, IL?

Saline County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Saline 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 Saline County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.