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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Queens 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.

Queens County, New York is in USDA Zone 7b. 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 782 feet, Queens County receives approximately 45.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season.

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

Queens County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.5

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 328 gal / 100 sq ft
Kidney Beans needs ~1,633 GDD — county provides 3,819 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Queens 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 7b

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Queens 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 Queens County, NY?

Queens County is in Zone 7b 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 Queens County, NY?

Queens County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. 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 Queens County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Queens County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.