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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Stephens 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.

Stephens County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 979 feet, Stephens County receives approximately 26.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season.

Stephens County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Stephens 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 (84 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 19

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,061 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Kidney Beans needs ~1,706 GDD — county provides 3,657 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Stephens County, OK

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Aug 17

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

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

209 days

Growing Tips for Stephens 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 Stephens County, OK?

Stephens County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stephens County, OK?

Stephens County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Stephens 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 Stephens County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.