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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Lunenburg 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.

Lunenburg County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 777 feet, Lunenburg County receives approximately 41.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season.

Lunenburg County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Lunenburg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Aug 27

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Kidney Beans needs ~1,706 GDD — county provides 3,535 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Lunenburg County, VA

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Aug 21

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 7a

Growing Season

202 days

Growing Tips for Lunenburg 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 Lunenburg County, VA?

Lunenburg County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lunenburg County, VA?

Lunenburg County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lunenburg County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Lunenburg County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.