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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Carroll County, MS

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.

Carroll County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 237 days.

At an elevation of 153 feet, Carroll County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Kidney Beans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Carroll County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
237 days
Last Spring Frost March 17
237 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Carroll County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 13

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 270 gal / 100 sq ft
Kidney Beans needs ~1,852 GDD — county provides 4,503 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Carroll County, MS

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 14
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Jul 28

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

237 days

Growing Tips for Carroll 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 Carroll County, MS?

Carroll County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 17. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carroll County, MS?

Carroll County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 17 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Carroll County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Carroll County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.