When to plant pole beans in Winthrop and Twisp, WA

Plant pole beans from seed, directly in the garden in Winthrop and Twisp, May 22 – Jun 26.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Winthrop and Twisp's typical last spring frost is May 15. Frost kills pole beans, so planting starts once frost risk drops, around May 22. Keep row cover or a frost blanket handy for the first couple of weeks, since a late frost is still possible.

Inland Northwest. Higher, colder interior valleys. Cold springs and an earlier fall mean a shorter season; quick-maturing varieties pay off.

Difficulty: Easy
Sun: Full sun
Spacing: 4 to 6 inches apart along a trellis
Planting depth: 1 inch deep
Frost: Killed by frost
First harvest: About 65 days after planting

Step by step

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant seeds May 22 – Jun 26, 1 inch deep, 4 to 6 inches apart along a trellis.
Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
Harvest: Pick when pods are pencil-thick and before the seeds bulge. Picking every few days keeps the vines producing.

Varieties that do well here

Blue Lake FM-1K
Kentucky Wonder
Fortex

Watch out for

Seeds rot in cold, wet soil, the most common Northwest bean failure. Wait for warm soil.

Climb 6 to 8 feet and keep producing for weeks. Put up the trellis before you sow. Like bush beans, they need warm soil.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Winthrop and Twisp, WA?

Typically May 15. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 1. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Winthrop.

Is it too late to plant pole beans in Winthrop and Twisp?

The spring planting window runs through June 26. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around September 22.

How long until I can harvest pole beans?

About 65 days after planting. Pick when pods are pencil-thick and before the seeds bulge. Picking every few days keeps the vines producing.

Also plant in Winthrop and Twisp around the same time

Planting dates for pole beans in nearby areas

Wenatchee, WA Apr 25 – May 30
Omak and Okanogan, WA May 15 – Jun 19
Chelan, WA Apr 25 – May 30
Leavenworth, WA May 17 – Jun 21
Ellensburg, WA May 15 – Jun 19
Spokane, WA May 15 – Jun 19

Full planting calendar for Winthrop and Twisp · Pole beans in every city