Plant Beans (bush) in Zone 6a

Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 6a

Direct sow

Apr 27

Harvest (~55d)

Jun 21

Zone 6a averages 176 frost-free days, running from a last spring frost around April 20 to a first fall frost around October 13. Beans (bush) needs roughly 55 days from planting out to first harvest, so it uses about 31 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 Apr 27, after the Zone 6a last frost has passed and the soil has warmed. At 55 days to harvest, a 176-day Zone 6a 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 6a

Yes. Sow beans (bush) by July 22 in Zone 6a. 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

Jul 1

Sow by (last chance)

Jul 22

Fall harvest

Sep 15

Fall dates are counted backward from the Zone 6a 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 6a

Planting	Sow or start	In the ground	Harvest
Spring	Apr 27	Apr 27	Jun 21
Fall	by Jul 22	Jul 22	Sep 15

Last spring frost

Apr 20

First fall frost

Oct 13

Growing season

176 days

Beans (bush) in nearby zones

Beans (bush) in Zone 5b (colder) Beans (bush) in Zone 6b (warmer) Full Beans (bush) grow guide Zone 6a planting calendar

Other crops in Zone 6a

Tomatoes in Zone 6a Peppers in Zone 6a Cucumbers in Zone 6a Lettuce in Zone 6a Zucchini in Zone 6a Carrots in Zone 6a Peas in Zone 6a Broccoli in Zone 6a Spinach in Zone 6a Kale in Zone 6a Onions in Zone 6a Garlic in Zone 6a Potatoes in Zone 6a Squash (winter) in Zone 6a Corn in Zone 6a Radishes in Zone 6a Beets in Zone 6a Eggplant in Zone 6a Basil in Zone 6a Cilantro in Zone 6a Parsley in Zone 6a Pumpkins in Zone 6a Sunflowers in Zone 6a

Frequently asked questions

When should I start beans (bush) in Zone 6a?

Direct sow outdoors around Apr 27.

Can I direct sow beans (bush) in Zone 6a?

Yes, direct sow around Apr 27.

Can I plant beans (bush) in the fall in Zone 6a?

Will beans (bush) survive frost in Zone 6a?

No. Beans (bush) is a tender crop and a single light frost ends it, so every Zone 6a planting has to finish before the average first frost.

How many plantings of beans (bush) fit in a Zone 6a season?

About 2. Zone 6a averages 176 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.