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When to Plant Black Beans in Lynchburg City, VA

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

Lynchburg City, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 1,023 feet, Lynchburg City receives approximately 50.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Black Beans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Black Beans root diseases.

Lynchburg City, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Lynchburg City Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Sep 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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Black Beans needs ~2,152 GDD — county provides 3,751 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Lynchburg City, VA

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Sep 16

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 7a

Growing Season

183 days

Growing Tips for Lynchburg City

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 Lynchburg City, VA?

Lynchburg City is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lynchburg City, VA?

Lynchburg City, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lynchburg City gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Lynchburg City, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.