Black Beans Planting Guide

May

May is for black beans

Some notes on black beans care that hold up no matter where you garden — then check your zone for specifics.

Sun full sun

Water moderate

Days to harvest 90–120

Plant depth 1″

Spacing 15″

How to water black beans
About an inch of water a week keeps black beans happy. Check your weather forecast before watering — skip if rain is coming.
Where to put black beans
black beans wants at least 6 hours of direct sun. Less than that and you'll get leggy plants with weak yields.
Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant black beans. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.

Show me black beans timing for my zone →

Black beans are a warm-season legume producing small, dark, protein-rich beans that are a staple in Latin American and Caribbean cuisines.

Phaseolus vulgaris · Vegetable · Fabaceae family · 90–120 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Black Beans Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Black Beans?

Zone Compatibility for Black Beans Zones 3a – 11b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 3a	—	May 29	—	Aug 28 – Oct 2
Zone 3b	—	May 24	—	Aug 23 – Sep 27
Zone 4a	—	May 20	—	Aug 19 – Oct 7
Zone 4b	—	May 15	—	Aug 14 – Oct 2
Zone 5a	—	May 2	—	Aug 1 – Sep 19
Zone 5b	—	Apr 25	—	Jul 25 – Sep 12
Zone 6a	—	Apr 17	—	Jul 17 – Sep 4
Zone 6b	—	Apr 10	—	Jul 10 – Aug 28
Zone 7a	—	Apr 1	—	Jul 1 – Aug 19
Zone 7b	—	Mar 25	—	Jun 24 – Aug 12
Zone 8a	—	Mar 15	—	Jun 14 – Aug 2
Zone 8b	—	Mar 4	—	Jun 3 – Jul 22
Zone 9a	—	Feb 17	—	May 19 – Jul 7
Zone 9b	—	Feb 1	—	May 3 – Jun 21
Zone 10a	—	Jan 8	—	Apr 9 – May 28
Zone 10b	—	Jan 8	—	Apr 9 – May 28
Zone 11a	—	Jan 8	—	Apr 9 – May 28
Zone 11b	—	Jan 8	—	Apr 9 – May 28

Why are some columns showing "—"?

Start Indoors shows "—" because Black Beans is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.

Transplant shows "—" because Black Beans is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.

How to Plant Black Beans

Planting Depth

15"

Between Plants

24"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 3a – 11b

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.

👪 Plant Family

Fabaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Fabaceae family crops grew last year.

How Much Black Beans to Grow

Black Beans takes 90–120 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.

Companion Planting for Black Beans

✅ Good Companions

Corn Squash Summer Carrots

❌ Keep Away From

Onion Garlic

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Black Beans

Direct sow after last frost. Provide support for climbing varieties. Allow pods to dry fully on the vine before harvesting. Thresh dried pods by hand or in a pillowcase.

Saving Black Beans Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪

Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️

Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Reader favourite

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

$27 $157 value

Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.

200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant

Save a lifetime of seed money →

Black Beans by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Black Beans?

Black Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) takes 90 to 120 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Black Beans grow in?

Black Beans can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Black Beans need?

Growing Black Beans requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.