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When to Plant Kidney Beans in St. Lawrence 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.

St. Lawrence County, New York is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 688 feet, St. Lawrence County receives approximately 39.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Kidney Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

St. Lawrence County, NY (Zone 4a) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

St. Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Sep 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Sep 29

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Kidney Beans needs ~1,268 GDD — county provides 1,885 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” St. Lawrence County, NY

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 14
Harvest August 23 Aug 23 โ€“ Sep 27

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 4a

Growing Season

145 days

Growing Tips for St. Lawrence 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 St. Lawrence County, NY?

St. Lawrence County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Lawrence County, NY?

St. Lawrence County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help St. Lawrence County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 St. Lawrence County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.