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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Henrico 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.

Henrico County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 347 feet, Henrico County receives approximately 50.4 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.

Henrico County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Henrico County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 11

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 ~1,181 GDD — county provides 3,657 GDD Excellent fit

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

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 17 Feb 17 โ€“ Mar 3
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jul 28

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

209 days

Growing Tips for Henrico 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 Henrico County, VA?

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

What planting zone is Henrico County, VA?

Henrico County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is November 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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