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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Carroll County, VA

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.

Carroll County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 883 feet, Carroll County receives approximately 43.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season.

Carroll County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Carroll County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Sep 22

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Kidney Beans needs ~1,779 GDD — county provides 3,066 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Carroll County, VA

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 29
Harvest August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Sep 11

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 โ€”
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
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

168 days

Growing Tips for Carroll 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 Carroll County, VA?

Carroll County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carroll County, VA?

Carroll County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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