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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Buffalo County, NE

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.

Buffalo County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 1,048 feet, Buffalo County receives approximately 21 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season.

Buffalo County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Buffalo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 3

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 657 gal / 100 sq ft
Yard Long Beans needs ~1,029 GDD — county provides 2,470 GDD Excellent fit

Yard Long Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Buffalo County, NE

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 โ€“ May 27
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Aug 19

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

162 days

Growing Tips for Buffalo 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 Buffalo County, NE?

Buffalo County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Buffalo County, NE?

Buffalo County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Buffalo County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Buffalo County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.