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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Lincoln County, NM

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.

Lincoln County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.

At an elevation of 5,466 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 16.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Yard Long Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Yard Long Beans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Lincoln County, NM (Zone 6b) Moderate season
155 days
Last Spring Frost May 7
155 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 8

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
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 924 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Yard Long Beans needs ~1,080 GDD — county provides 2,480 GDD Excellent fit

Yard Long Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, NM

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 4
Direct Sow May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 4
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Aug 27

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 6b

Growing Season

155 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, NM?

Lincoln County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, NM?

Lincoln County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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