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When to Plant Black Beans in Prince George's County, MD

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

Prince George's County, Maryland is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 322 feet, Prince George's County receives approximately 39.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Black Beans during the growing season.

Prince George's County, MD (Zone 7a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Prince George's County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 4

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Black Beans needs ~1,838 GDD — county provides 3,902 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline — Prince George's County, MD

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 – Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate — regular watering

Days to Maturity

90–120 days

Soil pH

6 – 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

223 days

Growing Tips for Prince George's 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 Prince George's County, MD?

Prince George's County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Prince George's County, MD?

Prince George's County, Maryland is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 10.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Prince George's County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Prince George's County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.