Plant Beans (bush) in Zone 5a
Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 5a
Zone 5a averages 156 frost-free days, running from a last spring frost around April 30 to a first fall frost around October 3. Beans (bush) needs roughly 55 days from planting out to first harvest, so it uses about 35 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 7, after the Zone 5a last frost has passed and the soil has warmed. At 55 days to harvest, a 156-day Zone 5a season has room for about 2 sowings, so stagger them rather than planting everything at once.
Planting beans (bush) for a fall harvest in Zone 5a
Yes. Sow beans (bush) by July 12 in Zone 5a. 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 dates are counted backward from the Zone 5a 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 5a
| Planting | Sow or start | In the ground | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | May 7 | May 7 | Jul 1 |
| Fall | by Jul 12 | Jul 12 | Sep 5 |
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 5a
Frequently asked questions
When should I start beans (bush) in Zone 5a?
Direct sow outdoors around May 7.
Can I direct sow beans (bush) in Zone 5a?
Yes, direct sow around May 7.
Can I plant beans (bush) in the fall in Zone 5a?
Yes. Sow beans (bush) by July 12 in Zone 5a. 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.
Will beans (bush) survive frost in Zone 5a?
No. Beans (bush) is a tender crop and a single light frost ends it, so every Zone 5a planting has to finish before the average first frost.
How many plantings of beans (bush) fit in a Zone 5a season?
About 2. Zone 5a averages 156 frost-free days and beans (bush) needs roughly 55 days plus a couple of weeks of turnaround, so sowing every 35 days keeps a supply coming.