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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Schuyler 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.

Schuyler County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 1,008 feet, Schuyler County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season.

Schuyler County, NY (Zone 5b) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Schuyler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Sep 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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Kidney Beans needs ~1,414 GDD — county provides 2,117 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Schuyler County, NY

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 11
Harvest August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 24

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 5b

Growing Season

146 days

Growing Tips for Schuyler 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kidney Beans in Schuyler County, NY?

Schuyler County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Schuyler County, NY?

Schuyler County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 7.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Schuyler County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Schuyler County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.