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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Delaware County, OK

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.

Delaware County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 440 feet, Delaware County receives approximately 30.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season.

Delaware County, OK (Zone 7a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Delaware County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Aug 27

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.

Soil Compatibility in Delaware County

How your county's soil matches Kidney Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3โ€“7.6) overlaps with Kidney Beans's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Delaware County is excellent for Kidney Beans โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Kidney Beans.

How to Plant Kidney Beans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 766 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 4,079 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Delaware County, OK

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Aug 20

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 Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

85โ€“110 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

199 days in Delaware County

Growing Tips for Kidney Beans in Delaware County

Direct sow Kidney Beans outdoors after April 09 in Delaware County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Kidney Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Delaware County, OK?

Delaware County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Delaware County, OK?

Delaware County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Delaware County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Delaware County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.