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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Gloucester 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.

Gloucester County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 817 feet, Gloucester County receives approximately 52.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, 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.

Gloucester County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Gloucester County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Yard Long Beans needs ~1,232 GDD — county provides 3,960 GDD Excellent fit

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

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Jul 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

217 days

Growing Tips for Gloucester 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 Gloucester County, VA?

Gloucester County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gloucester County, VA?

Gloucester County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 4.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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