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When to Plant Black Beans in Hinds County, MS

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

Hinds County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 239 days.

At an elevation of 332 feet, Hinds County receives approximately 59.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Black Beans during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Black Beans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Black Beans root diseases.

Hinds County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
239 days
Last Spring Frost March 17
239 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Hinds County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 27

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Black Beans needs ~1,995 GDD — county provides 4,541 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Hinds County, MS

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 14
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Aug 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 8a

Growing Season

239 days

Growing Tips for Hinds 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 Hinds County, MS?

Hinds County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 17. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hinds County, MS?

Hinds County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 17 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hinds County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Hinds County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.