Blog

When to Plant Black Beans in Terrebonne Parish, LA

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

Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 7 and the first fall frost is December 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 304 days.

At an elevation of 484 feet, Terrebonne Parish receives approximately 61.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Black Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Black Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Black Beans root diseases.

Terrebonne Parish, LA (Zone 9a) Year-round
304 days
Last Spring Frost February 7
304 growing days
First Fall Frost December 8

Terrebonne Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (171 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 25 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – Jun 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 7 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 26

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Black Beans needs ~2,782 GDD — county provides 8,082 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Terrebonne Parish, LA

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Mar 7
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jul 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
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

90โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 9a

Growing Season

304 days

Growing Tips for Terrebonne Parish

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 Terrebonne Parish, LA?

Terrebonne Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 7. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Terrebonne Parish, LA?

Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 7 and first fall frost is December 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Terrebonne Parish gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Terrebonne Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.