When to plant green beans
Green beans are frost-tender, so sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost; for a fall crop, sow 10–12 weeks before the first fall frost. Plant when the soil is at least 60°F.
Green beans dates for Columbus, Ohio (example)
Example dates. Enter your ZIP above for your own.
| Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 11 |
|---|---|
| Sow for fall harvest | Aug 1–15 |
| Last planting for a harvest before frost | Aug 25 |
| Soil temperature | 60°F or warmer |
| Days to harvest | 50–60 |
| Spacing | 3–4 in apart |
Your bean year
- Sow outdoors
- Sow for fall harvest
Average last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 24.
Growing tips for green beans
- Bean seed rots in cold, wet soil; wait until soil is at least 60°F.
- Bush beans crop all at once, so sow every two weeks; pole beans keep producing.
- Pick every few days; leaving pods to mature slows the plant down.
For a steady harvest, sow every 2 weeks: see the succession planting calculator.
When to plant green beans in major cities
Calculated from each city's NOAA 1991–2020 average frost dates.
| City | Zone | Plant / sow | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 7b | Apr 6–20 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Chicago, IL | 6b | Apr 17 – May 1 | Aug 13–27 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 10b | Feb 1–15 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Houston, TX | 9b | Feb 9–23 | Oct 2–16 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 10a | Jan 12–26 | Oct 11–25 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7b | Apr 6–20 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Dallas, TX | 8b | Mar 9–23 | Sep 6–20 |
| Atlanta, GA | 8a | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 16–30 |
| Seattle, WA | 9a | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Denver, CO | 6a | May 7–21 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Boston, MA | 7a | Apr 11–25 | Aug 17–31 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 5a | Apr 30 – May 14 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Kansas City, MO | 6b | Apr 11–25 | Aug 10–24 |
| Nashville, TN | 7b | Apr 8–22 | Aug 8–22 |
| Portland, OR | 9a | Mar 4–18 | Sep 8–22 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 7b | Apr 7–21 | Aug 16–30 |
| Columbus, OH | 6b | Apr 27 – May 11 | Aug 1–15 |
| Charlotte, NC | 8a | Apr 6–20 | Aug 11–25 |
| Detroit, MI | 6b | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 8–22 |
| Raleigh, NC | 8a | Apr 4–18 | Aug 16–30 |
Green beans planting FAQ
When should I plant green beans?
Green beans are frost-tender, so sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost; for a fall crop, sow 10–12 weeks before the first fall frost. Plant when the soil is at least 60°F.
How many days until green beans are ready to harvest?
Most bean varieties take about 50–60 days from sowing. Check the seed packet: early varieties are at the low end.
Can green beans survive frost?
No. Green beans are damaged or killed by a 32°F frost, so wait until after your last frost and cover plants if a late frost is forecast.
How far apart should I plant green beans?
Space green beans 3–4 in apart.
What is the last date I can plant green beans?
Count the variety's days to maturity back from your first fall frost. Enter your ZIP code on this page and Seasonwise calculates the date for you.
Ask about growing green beans
Enter your ZIP above first and answers will use your local frost dates. Written by an AI model; double-check anything important.