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When to plant Kidney Beans in Palm Beach County, FL

For Palm Beach County, gardeners: plant Kidney Beans February 24 through March 17 once soil reads 50°F.

When to Plant Kidney Beans in Palm Beach County, FL

Palm Beach County, Florida Zone 10b June

Your June gardening checklist

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Palm Beach County, Florida this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost February 17
Soil temp (4") 87°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. 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.

  2. Start fall tomato seeds indoors

    Yes, indoors — under lights or in AC. They'll be ready to transplant in August when temperatures briefly moderate.

  3. Add compost to empty beds

    Empty beds get a thick layer of compost + mulch to suppress weeds and feed the soil for fall planting.

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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.

Palm Beach County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is February 17 and the first fall frost is April 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 57 days.

At an elevation of 355 feet, Palm Beach County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Kidney Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Palm Beach County, FL (Zone 10b) Very short season
57 days
Last Spring Frost February 17
57 growing days
First Fall Frost April 15

Palm Beach County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Soil Compatibility in Palm Beach County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–5.9) is more acidic than Kidney Beans prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Kidney Beans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.3%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Kidney Beans.

How to Plant Kidney Beans

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

Kidney Beans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,354 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Kidney Beans

Kidney 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 Kidney Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Mar 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Kidney 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.

Kidney Beans needs ~1,926 GDD — county provides 7,208 GDD Excellent fit

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline — Palm Beach County, FL

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 24 Feb 24 – Mar 17
Harvest May 26 May 26 – Jun 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

85–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10b

📆 Growing Season

57 days in Palm Beach County

Growing Tips for Kidney Beans in Palm Beach County

Direct sow Kidney Beans outdoors after February 17 in Palm Beach County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Common pests for Kidney 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 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kidney Beans in Palm Beach County, FL?

Palm Beach County is in Zone 10b with an average last frost of February 17. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Palm Beach County, FL?

Palm Beach County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is February 17 and first fall frost is .

When should I plant Kidney Beans in Palm Beach County, FL?

In Palm Beach County, FL, plant Kidney 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 Palm Beach County, FL for Kidney Beans?

Palm Beach County sits in USDA Zone 10b. Kidney Beans grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Kidney Beans grow in Palm Beach County's climate?

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

🌱

Your Palm Beach County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Palm Beach County (Zone 10b). 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 Palm Beach County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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