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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Sullivan County, PA

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.

Sullivan County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.

At an elevation of 560 feet, Sullivan County receives approximately 44.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season.

Sullivan County, PA (Zone 5a) Moderate season
169 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
169 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Sullivan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 6

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Yard Long Beans needs ~1,029 GDD — county provides 2,577 GDD Excellent fit

Yard Long Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Sullivan County, PA

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 โ€“ May 29
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 29
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Aug 21

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

169 days

Growing Tips for Sullivan 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 Sullivan County, PA?

Sullivan County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sullivan County, PA?

Sullivan County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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