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When to Plant Black Beans in Chippewa 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.

Chippewa County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.

At an elevation of 626 feet, Chippewa County receives approximately 34.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Black Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Chippewa County, MN (Zone 4a) Moderate season
155 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
155 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Chippewa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 2

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 496 gal / 100 sq ft
Black Beans needs ~1,129 GDD — county provides 1,666 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Chippewa County, MN

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jun 6
Harvest August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Oct 3

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 Direct Sow
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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

155 days

Growing Tips for Chippewa 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 Chippewa County, MN?

Chippewa County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chippewa County, MN?

Chippewa County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Chippewa 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 Chippewa County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.