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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Box Elder County, UT

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.

Box Elder County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 4,039 feet, Box Elder County receives approximately 24.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season.

Box Elder County, UT (Zone 6a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 22
134 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Box Elder County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Sep 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Sep 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Sep 9 – Oct 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 332 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Kidney Beans needs ~1,487 GDD — county provides 2,043 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Box Elder County, UT

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jun 19
Harvest August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Oct 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
July โ€”
August Harvest
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

134 days

Growing Tips for Box Elder 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 Box Elder County, UT?

Box Elder County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Box Elder County, UT?

Box Elder County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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