Plant Beans (bush) in Zone 3a
Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 3a
Zone 3a averages 123 frost-free days, running from a last spring frost around May 15 to a first fall frost around September 15. Beans (bush) needs roughly 55 days from planting out to first harvest, so it uses about 45 percent of that window. Beans (bush) is a tender crop, which is what decides where in the window it belongs.
Beans (bush) resents transplanting and hates cold soil, so direct sow around May 22, after the Zone 3a last frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
Fall planting: beans (bush) in Zone 3a
Beans (bush) has no useful fall window in Zone 3a. Bush beans mature fast enough for a second sowing almost anywhere with a frost-free window into October.
Bush beans mature fast enough for a second sowing almost anywhere with a frost-free window into October.
Fall dates are counted backward from the Zone 3a average first frost, not forward from a sowing date. See the fall planting calendar by zone for the full method.
Spring vs fall beans (bush) in Zone 3a
| Planting | Sow or start | In the ground | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | May 22 | May 22 | Jul 16 |
| Fall | — | — | — |
Beans (bush) in nearby zones
Further reading on beans (bush)
- Soil temperature for planting seeds
The soil temperature beans (bush) needs before it will germinate.
- Companion planting chart
What to plant with beans (bush) and what to keep away from it.
Other crops in Zone 3a
Frequently asked questions
When should I start beans (bush) in Zone 3a?
Direct sow outdoors around May 22.
Can I direct sow beans (bush) in Zone 3a?
Yes, direct sow around May 22.
Can I plant beans (bush) in the fall in Zone 3a?
Beans (bush) has no useful fall window in Zone 3a. Bush beans mature fast enough for a second sowing almost anywhere with a frost-free window into October.
Will beans (bush) survive frost in Zone 3a?
No. Beans (bush) is a tender crop and a single light frost ends it, so every Zone 3a planting has to finish before the average first frost.