Plant Beans (bush) in Zone 3b
Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 3b
Zone 3b averages 128 frost-free days, running from a last spring frost around May 13 to a first fall frost around September 18. Beans (bush) needs roughly 55 days from planting out to first harvest, so it uses about 43 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 20, after the Zone 3b last frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
Fall planting: beans (bush) in Zone 3b
Beans (bush) has no useful fall window in Zone 3b. 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 3b 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 3b
| Planting | Sow or start | In the ground | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | May 20 | May 20 | Jul 14 |
| 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 3b
Frequently asked questions
When should I start beans (bush) in Zone 3b?
Direct sow outdoors around May 20.
Can I direct sow beans (bush) in Zone 3b?
Yes, direct sow around May 20.
Can I plant beans (bush) in the fall in Zone 3b?
Beans (bush) has no useful fall window in Zone 3b. 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 3b?
No. Beans (bush) is a tender crop and a single light frost ends it, so every Zone 3b planting has to finish before the average first frost.