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When to Plant Kidney Beans in Hamilton County, OH

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.

Hamilton County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.

At an elevation of 735 feet, Hamilton County receives approximately 38.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Kidney Beans during the growing season.

Hamilton County, OH (Zone 6b) Moderate season
188 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
188 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Hamilton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Kidney Beans Planting Timeline — Hamilton County, OH

Kidney Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 – May 14
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 – Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

85–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

188 days in Hamilton County

Growing Tips for Hamilton 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kidney Beans in Hamilton County, OH?

Hamilton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Kidney Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hamilton County, OH?

Hamilton County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 21.

🌱

Your Hamilton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hamilton County (Zone 6b). 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 Hamilton County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.