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When to plant Black Beans in Broward County, FL

The best window to plant Black Beans in Broward County, is January 8–January 29, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits January 1; first frost December 31.

When to Plant Black Beans in Broward County, FL

Broward County, Florida Zone 11a August

Your August planting checklist for Broward County, Florida

Each item below is timed to Broward County, Florida's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Soil temp (4") 96°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 12.9 hrs
  1. Plant fall tomatoes & peppers

    Late August is your fall transplant window. Pick heat-tolerant determinate tomatoes (Heatmaster, Solar Fire, Phoenix). They'll set fruit through fall.

  2. Direct-sow brassicas indoors or in shade

    Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts germinate better in cooler conditions. Start indoors or under shade cloth, transplant in September.

  3. Refresh mulch & drip lines

    Check drip irrigation for clogs (afternoon thunderstorm grit). Top off mulch in all beds before the cool-season crops go in.

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Black beans are a warm-season legume producing small, dark, protein-rich beans that are a staple in Latin American and Caribbean cuisines.

Broward County, Florida is in USDA Zone 11a. The average last spring frost is January 1 and the first fall frost is December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.

At an elevation of 209 feet, Broward County receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Black Beans during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Black Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Black Beans root diseases.

Broward County, FL (Zone 11a) Year-round
365 days
Last Spring Frost No frost
365 growing days
First Fall Frost No frost

Broward County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Soil Compatibility in Broward County

How your county's soil matches Black Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.0) is more acidic than Black Beans prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Broward County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Black Beans will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Black Beans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.5%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Black Beans.

How to Plant Black Beans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Black Beans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,954 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Black Beans

Black Beans needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Black Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Feb 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Mar 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 10.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 9.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Dec in Broward County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Black Beans Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Black Beans needs ~2,074 GDD — county provides 7,208 GDD Excellent fit

Black Beans Planting Timeline — Broward County, FL

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 29
Harvest April 9 Apr 9 – May 28

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Direct Sow
February
March
April Harvest
May Harvest
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 11a

📆 Growing Season

365 days in Broward County

Growing Tips for Black Beans in Broward County

Sandy soil in Broward County dries quickly — mulch Black Beans with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Common pests for Black Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Direct sow after last frost. Provide support for climbing varieties. Allow pods to dry fully on the vine before harvesting. Thresh dried pods by hand or in a pillowcase.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Black Beans in Broward County, FL?

Broward County is in Zone 11a with an average last frost of January 1. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Broward County, FL?

Broward County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 11a. The average last spring frost is January 1 and first fall frost is December 31.

When should I plant Black Beans in Broward County, FL?

In Broward County, FL, plant Black Beans after the last frost (around January 1) and before the first frost (around December 31). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Broward County, FL for Black Beans?

Broward County sits in USDA Zone 11a. Black Beans grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Black Beans grow in Broward County's climate?

Yes — Black Beans grows well in Broward County's temperate climate. Broward County averages a 365-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 1 and first frost around December 31.

🌱

Your Broward County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Broward County (Zone 11a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Broward County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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