Blog

When to Plant Black Beans in Wadena 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.

Wadena County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 1,320 feet, Wadena County receives approximately 40.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 79ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Black Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Wadena County, MN (Zone 3b) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Wadena County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Sep 25

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
1.2″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 103 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Black Beans needs ~971 GDD — county provides 1,267 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Wadena County, MN

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jun 17
Harvest August 26 Aug 26 โ€“ Sep 30

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 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 3b

Growing Season

137 days

Growing Tips for Wadena 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 Wadena County, MN?

Wadena County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wadena County, MN?

Wadena County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wadena County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Wadena County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.