Kidney Beans Planting Guide

May

Growing kidney beans in May

Everything below applies to kidney beans broadly. For a plan that's dialled into your county's frost dates and soil, tap your location.

Sun full sun

Water moderate

Days to harvest 85–110

Plant depth 1″

Spacing 15″

How to water kidney beans
Consistent moisture matters more than volume for kidney beans. Little and often beats occasional drenching.
Where to put kidney beans
kidney beans wants at least 6 hours of direct sun. Less than that and you'll get leggy plants with weak yields.
Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant kidney beans. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.

Show me kidney beans timing for my zone →

Kidney beans are a popular dry bean variety named for their shape, available in red and white types. They are the classic bean for chili and red beans and rice.

Phaseolus vulgaris · Vegetable · Fabaceae family · 85–110 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Kidney Beans Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Kidney Beans?

Zone Compatibility for Kidney Beans Zones 3a – 11b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 3a	—	May 29	—	Aug 28 – Oct 2
Zone 3b	—	May 24	—	Aug 23 – Sep 27
Zone 4a	—	May 20	—	Aug 19 – Sep 23
Zone 4b	—	May 15	—	Aug 14 – Sep 18
Zone 5a	—	May 2	—	Aug 1 – Sep 5
Zone 5b	—	Apr 25	—	Jul 25 – Aug 29
Zone 6a	—	Apr 17	—	Jul 17 – Aug 21
Zone 6b	—	Apr 10	—	Jul 10 – Aug 14
Zone 7a	—	Apr 1	—	Jul 1 – Aug 5
Zone 7b	—	Mar 25	—	Jun 24 – Jul 29
Zone 8a	—	Mar 15	—	Jun 14 – Jul 19
Zone 8b	—	Mar 4	—	Jun 3 – Jul 8
Zone 9a	—	Feb 17	—	May 19 – Jun 23
Zone 9b	—	Feb 1	—	May 3 – Jun 7
Zone 10a	—	Jan 8	—	Apr 9 – May 14
Zone 10b	—	Jan 8	—	Apr 9 – May 14
Zone 11a	—	Jan 8	—	Apr 9 – May 14
Zone 11b	—	Jan 8	—	Apr 9 – May 14

Why are some columns showing "—"?

Start Indoors shows "—" because Kidney Beans is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.

Transplant shows "—" because Kidney Beans is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.

How to Plant Kidney Beans

Planting Depth

15"

Between Plants

24"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 3a – 11b

📅 Days to Maturity

85–110 days

Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.

👪 Plant Family

Fabaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Fabaceae family crops grew last year.

How Much Kidney Beans to Grow

Kidney Beans takes 85–110 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.

Companion Planting for Kidney Beans

✅ Good Companions

Corn Squash Summer

❌ Keep Away From

Onion Garlic

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Kidney Beans

Direct sow after frost. Allow pods to dry completely on the plant. Kidney beans must be thoroughly cooked as raw or undercooked beans contain harmful lectins.

Saving Kidney Beans Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪

Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️

Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

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Kidney Beans by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Kidney Beans?

Kidney Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) takes 85 to 110 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Kidney Beans grow in?

Kidney Beans can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Kidney Beans need?

Growing Kidney Beans requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.