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When to Plant Black Beans in Anoka County, MN

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

Anoka County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.

At an elevation of 1,189 feet, Anoka County receives approximately 37.4 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.

Anoka County, MN (Zone 4a) Moderate season
169 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
169 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Anoka County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (26 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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 106 gal / 100 sq ft
Black Beans needs ~1,365 GDD — county provides 2,197 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Anoka County, MN

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Sep 24

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 4a

Growing Season

169 days

Growing Tips for Anoka 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 Anoka County, MN?

Anoka County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Anoka County, MN?

Anoka County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Anoka County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Anoka County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.