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When to Plant Black Beans in Fort Bend 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.

Fort Bend County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 297 days.

At an elevation of 90 feet, Fort Bend County receives approximately 70.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Black Beans root diseases.

Fort Bend County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
297 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
297 growing days
First Fall Frost December 8

Fort Bend County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Black Beans Planting Timeline — Fort Bend County, TX

Black Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 21 Feb 21 – Mar 14
Harvest May 23 May 23 – Jul 11

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 Harvest
August
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 9b

📆 Growing Season

297 days in Fort Bend County

Growing Tips for Fort Bend 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 Fort Bend County, TX?

Fort Bend County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Black Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fort Bend County, TX?

Fort Bend County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 8.

🌱

Your Fort Bend County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Fort Bend County (Zone 9b). 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 Fort Bend County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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