Plant Beans (bush) in Zone 4a

Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 4a

Direct sow

May 17

Harvest (~55d)

Jul 11

Zone 4a averages 135 frost-free days, running from a last spring frost around May 10 to a first fall frost around September 22. Beans (bush) needs roughly 55 days from planting out to first harvest, so it uses about 41 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 17, after the Zone 4a last frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Planting beans (bush) for a fall harvest in Zone 4a

Yes. Sow beans (bush) by July 1 in Zone 4a. That is 83 days before the average first frost, which covers the 55 days to maturity plus about two weeks for the slower growth that comes with shortening days, plus a two week margin because frost kills beans (bush) outright.

Bush beans mature fast enough for a second sowing almost anywhere with a frost-free window into October.

Fall sowing opens

Jun 10

Sow by (last chance)

Jul 1

Fall harvest

Aug 25

Fall dates are counted backward from the Zone 4a 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 4a

Planting	Sow or start	In the ground	Harvest
Spring	May 17	May 17	Jul 11
Fall	by Jul 1	Jul 1	Aug 25

Last spring frost

May 10

First fall frost

Sep 22

Growing season

135 days

Beans (bush) in nearby zones

Beans (bush) in Zone 3b (colder) Beans (bush) in Zone 4b (warmer) Full Beans (bush) grow guide Zone 4a planting calendar

Other crops in Zone 4a

Tomatoes in Zone 4a Peppers in Zone 4a Cucumbers in Zone 4a Lettuce in Zone 4a Zucchini in Zone 4a Carrots in Zone 4a Peas in Zone 4a Broccoli in Zone 4a Spinach in Zone 4a Kale in Zone 4a Onions in Zone 4a Garlic in Zone 4a Potatoes in Zone 4a Squash (winter) in Zone 4a Corn in Zone 4a Radishes in Zone 4a Beets in Zone 4a Eggplant in Zone 4a Basil in Zone 4a Cilantro in Zone 4a Parsley in Zone 4a Pumpkins in Zone 4a Sunflowers in Zone 4a

Frequently asked questions

When should I start beans (bush) in Zone 4a?

Direct sow outdoors around May 17.

Can I direct sow beans (bush) in Zone 4a?

Yes, direct sow around May 17.

Can I plant beans (bush) in the fall in Zone 4a?

Will beans (bush) survive frost in Zone 4a?

No. Beans (bush) is a tender crop and a single light frost ends it, so every Zone 4a planting has to finish before the average first frost.