When to plant bush beans in Alaska
Alaska’s average last spring frost is May 17, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 13 — about 119 frost-free days (USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Alaska's growing season.
Alaska covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant bush beans in Alaska: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow May 19 – Jun 7. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Alaska: Jun 7 · Jun 21 · Jul 5
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow bush beans in Alaska, step by step
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (May 19 – Jun 7). Space plants about 4 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart, sowing seed 1.5 inches deep. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: Mexican bean beetle, aphids, bean leaf beetle. Diseases and disorders: anthracnose, bacterial blight, bean rust, bean mosaic virus.
- Harvest (from about Jul 13 – Jul 23). Bush Bean takes 50-60 days to reach harvest. Do not start indoors - beans hate root disturbance. Sow every 2 weeks until ~10 weeks before first frost for a steady supply.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Alaska’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Alaska
Alaska spans USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the bush bean dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant bush bean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Jun 15 | Aug 20 | 65 days | - | Jun 17 – Jul 6 |
| Zone 2 | Jun 1 | Sep 1 | 90 days | - | Jun 3 – Jun 22 |
| Zone 3 | May 15 | Sep 15 | 120 days | - | May 17 – Jun 5 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | - | May 12 – May 31 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | - | May 2 – May 21 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | - | Apr 17 – May 6 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | - | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | - | Mar 22 – Apr 10 |
When to plant bush beans in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska (this page) | May 17 | May 19 – Jun 7 |
| Hawaii | frost-free | - |
Questions gardeners in Alaska ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Alaska?
Sow bush beans in Alaska between May 19 and June 7. That timing is set by Alaska's average last spring frost of May 17; Alaska spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Alaska?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between June 18 and July 5, so the crop matures in cool weather before Alaska's first frost around September 13.
When will bush beans planted in Alaska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about July 13 to July 23, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Alaska?
On average around May 17, with the first fall frost around September 13 - about 119 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.