Blog

When to Plant Black Beans in Dawson 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.

Dawson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 4,748 feet, Dawson County receives approximately 46.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102°F, so Black Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Black Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Dawson County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Dawson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Black Beans Planting Timeline — Dawson County, TX

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 – Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Direct Sow
May
June
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

223 days in Dawson County

Growing Tips for Dawson 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 Dawson County, TX?

Dawson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dawson County, TX?

Dawson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 10.

🌱

Your Dawson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dawson County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Dawson 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.