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When to Plant Black Beans in Gentry County, MO

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

Gentry County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 702 feet, Gentry County receives approximately 41.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Black Beans during the growing season.

Gentry County, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Gentry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 20

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
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 53 gal / 100 sq ft
Black Beans needs ~1,522 GDD — county provides 2,595 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Gentry County, MO

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Harvest July 26 Jul 26 โ€“ Sep 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Gentry 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 Gentry County, MO?

Gentry County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gentry County, MO?

Gentry County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Gentry County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Gentry County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.