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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Phillips County, CO

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.

Phillips County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 5,494 feet, Phillips County receives approximately 21.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season.

Phillips County, CO (Zone 5a) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Phillips County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Sep 22

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,219 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Kidney Beans needs ~1,487 GDD — county provides 2,379 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Phillips County, CO

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 11 May 11 โ€“ Jun 1
Harvest August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Sep 14

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 Direct Sow
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

85โ€“110 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5a

Growing Season

156 days

Growing Tips for Phillips County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kidney Beans in Phillips County, CO?

Phillips County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Phillips County, CO?

Phillips County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Phillips County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Phillips County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.