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When to Plant Black Beans in Shannon 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.

Shannon County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 1,311 feet, Shannon County receives approximately 35.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Black Beans during the growing season.

Shannon County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Shannon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 11

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 365 gal / 100 sq ft
Black Beans needs ~1,759 GDD — county provides 3,199 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Shannon County, MO

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 10
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Sep 6

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 6a

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Shannon 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 Shannon County, MO?

Shannon County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Shannon County, MO?

Shannon County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Shannon County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Shannon County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.