When to plant bush beans in zone 8b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8B

Growing SeasonZone 8b

Last frost ~Mar 15First frost ~Nov 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUN

Sow Mar 29 · First harvest May 18 · Wrap by Jun 8

Last spring frostMar 15

Direct sowMar 29

First harvestMay 18

Last harvestJun 8

First fall frostNov 15

Why these dates work in zone 8b

Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 15 and first fall frost Nov 15 — about 245 frost-free days. Bush Beans is frost-sensitive, so the 2w after frost timing builds in a safety margin against a late cold snap — setting plants out too early risks losing them to frost.

Common questions

How long does bush beans take to grow in zone 8b?

Bush Beans matures in about 50–65 days from sowing. In zone 8b that means sowing around Mar 29 and first picking around May 18.

Will bush beans survive frost in zone 8b?

No — bush beans is frost-sensitive. In zone 8b, wait until after the last frost (around Mar 15) to plant, and harvest before the first fall frost (around Nov 15).

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full bush beans growing guide →