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When to Plant Black Beans in Pearl River 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.

Pearl River County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost is November 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 266 days.

At an elevation of 243 feet, Pearl River County receives approximately 56.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Black Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Black Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Black Beans root diseases.

Pearl River County, MS (Zone 8b) Long season
266 days
Last Spring Frost March 3
266 growing days
First Fall Frost November 24

Pearl River County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 13

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Black Beans needs ~2,389 GDD — county provides 6,051 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Pearl River County, MS

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 31
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 โ€“ Jul 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

266 days

Growing Tips for Pearl River 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 Pearl River County, MS?

Pearl River County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 3. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pearl River County, MS?

Pearl River County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 3 and first fall frost is November 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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