Blog

When to Plant Kidney Beans in Bronx County, NY

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.

Bronx County, New York is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 53 feet, Bronx County receives approximately 44.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season.

Bronx County, NY (Zone 7a) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Bronx County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (111 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 373 gal / 100 sq ft
Kidney Beans needs ~1,560 GDD — county provides 3,648 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Bronx County, NY

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 26
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Aug 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 7a

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Bronx 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 Bronx County, NY?

Bronx County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bronx County, NY?

Bronx County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bronx County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Bronx County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.