How to grow bush bean
Beans rot in cold soil. Wait for 60°F soil and sow a new patch every three weeks.
Your bush bean dates
Companions
CarrotCauliflowerCilantroCucumberEggplantMarigoldPotatoRosemarySweet cornSwiss chardWinter squashZucchini
Keep apart from
Rotation and family
Bush bean belongs to the legumes (Fabaceae). Host nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium bacteria in root nodules.
In a four-bed crop rotation it goes in the legume bed. Avoid growing it where any legumes grew in the last three years.
Sow a fresh batch every 21 days for a steady supply. The succession planting calculator lists the dates.
When to plant bush bean by zone
| Zone | Sow / plant out | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | May 27 – Jul 8 | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| 4 | May 19 – Jun 30 | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| 5 | May 7 – Jun 18 | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| 6 | Apr 27 – Jun 8 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| 7 | Apr 15 – May 27 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| 8 | Apr 2 – May 14 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| 9 | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| 10 | Feb 8 – Mar 22 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
Based on typical frost dates for each zone; b half-zones run about a week earlier in spring. Zones 11–13 are frost-free in most years.
Bush bean questions
When should I plant bush bean?
Plant bush bean outdoors 1 week after your last spring frost. For a fall crop, sow about 12 weeks before your first fall frost.
How far apart should I plant bush bean?
About 4 inches apart, or 9 per square foot in a square foot garden.
What grows well with bush bean?
Traditional companions include carrot, cauliflower, cilantro, cucumber, eggplant, marigold, potato, rosemary, sweet corn, swiss chard, winter squash, zucchini. Keep it away from chives, fennel, garlic, leek, onion, pepper.
How long does bush bean take to grow?
Typically 50–60 days from sowing to first harvest, depending on variety and weather.