When to plant bush beans in Alabama
Alabama’s average last spring frost is March 25, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 5 — about 225 frost-free days (USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Alabama's growing season.
When to plant bush beans in Alabama: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 27 – Apr 15. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Alabama: Apr 15 · Apr 29 · May 13 · May 27 · Jun 10 · Jun 24 · Jul 8 · Jul 22
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 Alabama, 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 (Mar 27 – Apr 15). 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 May 21 – May 31). 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 Alabama’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Alabama
Alabama spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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.
When to plant bush beans in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama (this page) | March 25 | Mar 27 – Apr 15 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 22 – Apr 10 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Florida | February 12 | Feb 14 – Mar 5 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
Questions gardeners in Alabama ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Alabama?
Sow bush beans in Alabama between March 27 and April 15. That timing is set by Alabama's average last spring frost of March 25.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Alabama?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 10 and August 27, so the crop matures in cool weather before Alabama's first frost around November 5.
When will bush beans planted in Alabama be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about May 21 to May 31, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Alabama?
On average around March 25, with the first fall frost around November 5 - about 225 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.