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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Leflore 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.

Leflore County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 115 feet, Leflore County receives approximately 58.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Kidney Beans root diseases.

Leflore County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 8
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Leflore County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Kidney Beans needs ~1,999 GDD — county provides 5,166 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Leflore County, MS

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Apr 5
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Jul 19

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

252 days

Growing Tips for Leflore 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 Leflore County, MS?

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

What planting zone is Leflore County, MS?

Leflore County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 15.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Leflore 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 Leflore County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.