Plant Beans (bush) in Zone 8a
Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 8a
Zone 8a averages 228 frost-free days, running from a last spring frost around March 25 to a first fall frost around November 8. Beans (bush) needs roughly 55 days from planting out to first harvest, so it uses about 24 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 1, after the Zone 8a last frost has passed and the soil has warmed. At 55 days to harvest, a 228-day Zone 8a season has room for about 3 sowings, so stagger them rather than planting everything at once.
Planting beans (bush) for a fall harvest in Zone 8a
Yes. Sow beans (bush) by August 17 in Zone 8a. 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 8a 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 8a
| Planting | Sow or start | In the ground | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Apr 1 | Apr 1 | May 26 |
| Fall | by Aug 17 | Aug 17 | Oct 11 |
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 8a
Frequently asked questions
When should I start beans (bush) in Zone 8a?
Direct sow outdoors around Apr 1.
Can I direct sow beans (bush) in Zone 8a?
Yes, direct sow around Apr 1.
Can I plant beans (bush) in the fall in Zone 8a?
Yes. Sow beans (bush) by August 17 in Zone 8a. 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 8a?
No. Beans (bush) is a tender crop and a single light frost ends it, so every Zone 8a planting has to finish before the average first frost.
How many plantings of beans (bush) fit in a Zone 8a season?
About 3. Zone 8a averages 228 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.