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When to Plant Black Beans in Surry County, VA

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

Surry County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 946 feet, Surry County receives approximately 48.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Black Beans during the growing season.

Surry County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Surry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 8

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 151 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Black Beans needs ~1,916 GDD — county provides 3,960 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Surry County, VA

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Aug 28

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 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 7b

Growing Season

217 days

Growing Tips for Surry 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 Surry County, VA?

Surry County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Surry County, VA?

Surry County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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