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When to Plant Black Beans in Wise 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.

Wise County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 2,328 feet, Wise County receives approximately 41.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Black Beans during the growing season.

Wise County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Wise County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 18

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 160 gal / 100 sq ft
Black Beans needs ~1,916 GDD — county provides 3,540 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Wise County, VA

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 6b

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Wise 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 Wise County, VA?

Wise County is in Zone 6b 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 Wise County, VA?

Wise County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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