When to Plant Kidney Beans in USDA Zone 11b
Zone 11b gardeners: here's your June plan
Welcome to June in Zone 11b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Survive, don't thrive
June-August is endurance gardening. Keep okra, peppers, sweet potatoes, and southern peas alive. Harvest everything daily before the heat damages produce on the vine.
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Start fall tomato seeds indoors
Yes, indoors — under lights or in AC. They'll be ready to transplant in August when temperatures briefly moderate.
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Add compost to empty beds
Empty beds get a thick layer of compost + mulch to suppress weeds and feed the soil for fall planting.
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.
In Zone 11b, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.
Kidney Beans Planting Timeline — Zone 11b
Where Is USDA Zone 11b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 11b. Click any state to see the Kidney Beans planting schedule for that location.
Kidney Beans Planting Calendar — Zone 11b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | January 8 | Jan 8 – Jan 29 |
| Harvest | April 9 | Apr 9 – May 14 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Direct Sow |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 11b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 11b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
85–110 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
45°F to 50°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
365 days (Zone 11b average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Growing Tips for Kidney Beans in Zone 11b
Zone 11b offers a long growing season (~365 days). You can plant Kidney Beans earlier and may get multiple harvests.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
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Saving Kidney Beans Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Related Plants
Kidney Beans in Other Zones
Kidney Beans by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Kidney Beans in Zone 11b?
In Zone 11b, plan your Kidney Beans planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Direct sow outdoors around January 8.
Can Kidney Beans grow in Zone 11b?
Yes, Kidney Beans can grow well in Zone 11b, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Zone 11b has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Kidney Beans (85-110 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Kidney Beans in Zone 11b?
In Zone 11b, expect to harvest Kidney Beans from April 9 – May 14. Kidney Beans takes 85-110 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 11b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 11b is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Kidney Beans?
Good companion plants for Kidney Beans include Corn, Squash Summer. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 11b Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 11b. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.