Blog

When to Plant Kidney Beans in Grant 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.

Grant County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 564 feet, Grant County receives approximately 25.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season.

Grant County, OK (Zone 6b) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (78 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 Grant County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.2) is within Kidney Beans's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). 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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 973 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Kidney Beans

Kidney Beans needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Kidney Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Grant County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Kidney Beans Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Kidney Beans needs ~1,633 GDD — county provides 3,333 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, OK

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Aug 22

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: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

199 days in Grant County

Growing Tips for Kidney Beans in Grant County

Direct sow Kidney Beans outdoors after April 11 in Grant 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kidney Beans in Grant County, OK?

Grant County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, OK?

Grant County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grant County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Grant County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.