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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Martin County, MN

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.

Martin County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 164 days.

At an elevation of 984 feet, Martin County receives approximately 34.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Kidney Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Martin County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
164 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
164 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Martin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Sep 17

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 159 gal / 100 sq ft
Kidney Beans needs ~1,194 GDD — county provides 2,009 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Martin County, MN

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 4b

Growing Season

164 days

Growing Tips for Martin 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 Martin County, MN?

Martin County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Martin County, MN?

Martin County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Martin County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Martin County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.