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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Floyd 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.

Floyd County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 833 feet, Floyd County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season.

Floyd County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Floyd County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Sep 15

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Kidney Beans needs ~1,487 GDD — county provides 2,760 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Floyd County, VA

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 21
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 โ€“ Sep 3

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 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

181 days

Growing Tips for Floyd 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 Floyd County, VA?

Floyd County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Floyd County, VA?

Floyd County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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