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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Jefferson County, OR

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.

Jefferson County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost is September 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 102 days.

At an elevation of 21 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 36.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 79ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Kidney Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Jefferson County, OR (Zone 6a) Short season
102 days
Last Spring Frost June 9
102 growing days
First Fall Frost September 19

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Oct 3
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Sep 8 – Oct 13
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 22 🍅 Harvest: Sep 21 – Oct 26

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
1.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Kidney Beans needs ~902 GDD — county provides 943 GDD Good fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Jefferson County, OR

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jul 7
Harvest September 15 Sep 15 โ€“ Oct 20

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Direct Sow
July Direct Sow
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

102 days

Growing Tips for Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, OR?

Jefferson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 9. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson County, OR?

Jefferson County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and first fall frost is September 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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