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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Franklin 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.

Franklin County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.

At an elevation of 494 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 47 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season.

Franklin County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
188 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
188 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Aug 30

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 ~1,131 GDD — county provides 3,149 GDD Excellent fit

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

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Aug 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
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 7a

Growing Season

188 days

Growing Tips for Franklin 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 Franklin County, VA?

Franklin County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, VA?

Franklin County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 19 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 Franklin 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 Franklin County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.