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When to Plant Black Beans in Armstrong County, PA

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

Armstrong County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 213 feet, Armstrong County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Black Beans during the growing season.

Armstrong County, PA (Zone 5b) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Armstrong County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Oct 7

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Black Beans needs ~1,522 GDD — county provides 2,494 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Armstrong County, PA

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Sep 23

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 โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

172 days

Growing Tips for Armstrong 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 Armstrong County, PA?

Armstrong County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Armstrong County, PA?

Armstrong County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Armstrong 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 Armstrong County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.