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When to Plant Black Beans in Noble County, IN

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

Noble County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 981 feet, Noble County receives approximately 36.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Black Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Noble County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Noble County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Sep 30

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 746 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Black Beans needs ~1,365 GDD — county provides 2,236 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Noble County, IN

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Harvest August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

172 days

Growing Tips for Noble County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Black Beans in Noble County, IN?

Noble County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Noble County, IN?

Noble County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Noble County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Noble County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.