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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Sawyer County, WI

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.

Sawyer County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 815 feet, Sawyer County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Kidney Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Sawyer County, WI (Zone 3b) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 25

Sawyer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Sep 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 31 – Oct 5

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Kidney Beans needs ~829 GDD — county provides 1,113 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Sawyer County, WI

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 31 May 31 โ€“ Jun 21
Harvest August 30 Aug 30 โ€“ Oct 4

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 3b

Growing Season

131 days

Growing Tips for Sawyer 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 Sawyer County, WI?

Sawyer County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sawyer County, WI?

Sawyer County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sawyer County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Sawyer County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.