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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Bucks County, PA

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.

Bucks County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 958 feet, Bucks County receives approximately 42.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season.

Bucks County, PA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Bucks County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 14

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 95 gal / 100 sq ft
Kidney Beans needs ~1,560 GDD — county provides 3,040 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Bucks County, PA

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Aug 29

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 6b

Growing Season

190 days

Growing Tips for Bucks 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 Bucks County, PA?

Bucks County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bucks County, PA?

Bucks County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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