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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Amelia County, VA

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.

Amelia County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 871 feet, Amelia County receives approximately 52.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Yard Long Beans root diseases.

Amelia County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Amelia County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 13

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 ~1,181 GDD — county provides 3,605 GDD Excellent fit

Yard Long Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Amelia County, VA

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
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 Start Indoors
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 7a

Growing Season

206 days

Growing Tips for Amelia 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 Amelia County, VA?

Amelia County is in Zone 7a 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 Amelia County, VA?

Amelia County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 31.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Amelia County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Amelia County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.