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When to Plant Black Beans in Bowie County, TX

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

Bowie County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 237 days.

At an elevation of 380 feet, Bowie County receives approximately 71.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91°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.

Bowie County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
237 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
237 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Bowie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Black Beans Planting Timeline — Bowie County, TX

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 – Aug 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

237 days in Bowie County

Growing Tips for Bowie County

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 Bowie County, TX?

Bowie County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bowie County, TX?

Bowie County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 12.

🌱

Your Bowie County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bowie County (Zone 8b). 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 Bowie County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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