Plant Beans (bush) in Zone 9a

Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 9a

Direct sow

Mar 8

Harvest (~55d)

May 2

Zone 9a averages 274 frost-free days, running from a last spring frost around March 1 to a first fall frost around November 30. Beans (bush) needs roughly 55 days from planting out to first harvest, so it uses about 20 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 Mar 8, after the Zone 9a last frost has passed and the soil has warmed. At 55 days to harvest, a 274-day Zone 9a 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 9a

Yes. Sow beans (bush) by September 8 in Zone 9a. 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

Aug 18

Sow by (last chance)

Sep 8

Fall harvest

Nov 2

Fall dates are counted backward from the Zone 9a 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 9a

Planting	Sow or start	In the ground	Harvest
Spring	Mar 8	Mar 8	May 2
Fall	by Sep 8	Sep 8	Nov 2

Last spring frost

Mar 1

First fall frost

Nov 30

Growing season

274 days

Beans (bush) in nearby zones

Beans (bush) in Zone 8b (colder) Beans (bush) in Zone 9b (warmer) Full Beans (bush) grow guide Zone 9a planting calendar

Other crops in Zone 9a

Tomatoes in Zone 9a Peppers in Zone 9a Cucumbers in Zone 9a Lettuce in Zone 9a Zucchini in Zone 9a Carrots in Zone 9a Peas in Zone 9a Broccoli in Zone 9a Spinach in Zone 9a Kale in Zone 9a Onions in Zone 9a Garlic in Zone 9a Potatoes in Zone 9a Squash (winter) in Zone 9a Corn in Zone 9a Radishes in Zone 9a Beets in Zone 9a Eggplant in Zone 9a Basil in Zone 9a Cilantro in Zone 9a Parsley in Zone 9a Pumpkins in Zone 9a Sunflowers in Zone 9a

Frequently asked questions

When should I start beans (bush) in Zone 9a?

Direct sow outdoors around Mar 8.

Can I direct sow beans (bush) in Zone 9a?

Yes, direct sow around Mar 8.

Can I plant beans (bush) in the fall in Zone 9a?

Will beans (bush) survive frost in Zone 9a?

No. Beans (bush) is a tender crop and a single light frost ends it, so every Zone 9a planting has to finish before the average first frost.

How many plantings of beans (bush) fit in a Zone 9a season?

About 3. Zone 9a averages 274 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.