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When to Plant Yard Long Beans in Rockbridge 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.

Rockbridge County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 159 feet, Rockbridge County receives approximately 46.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yard Long Beans during the growing season.

Rockbridge County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Rockbridge County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 3

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 ~1,080 GDD — county provides 2,944 GDD Excellent fit

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

Yard Long Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 19
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Aug 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
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 6b

Growing Season

184 days

Growing Tips for Rockbridge 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 Rockbridge County, VA?

Rockbridge County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Yard Long Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rockbridge County, VA?

Rockbridge County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Rockbridge County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Rockbridge County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.