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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Louisa 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.

Louisa County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 811 feet, Louisa County receives approximately 42.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season.

Louisa County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Louisa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 27

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 224 gal / 100 sq ft
Yard Long Beans needs ~1,282 GDD — county provides 3,838 GDD Excellent fit

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

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Jul 31

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

202 days

Growing Tips for Louisa 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 Louisa County, VA?

Louisa County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Louisa County, VA?

Louisa County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 29.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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