When to plant bush beans in Arkansas
Arkansas’s average last spring frost is April 3, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 1 — about 212 frost-free days (USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Arkansas's growing season.
When to plant bush beans in Arkansas: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 5 – Apr 24. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Arkansas: Apr 24 · May 8 · May 22 · Jun 5 · Jun 19 · Jul 3 · Jul 17 · Jul 31
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 Arkansas, 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 (Apr 5 – Apr 24). 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 30 – Jun 9). 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 Arkansas’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Arkansas
Arkansas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas (this page) | April 3 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Alabama | 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 |
Questions gardeners in Arkansas ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Arkansas?
Sow bush beans in Arkansas between April 5 and April 24. That timing is set by Arkansas's average last spring frost of April 3.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Arkansas?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 6 and August 23, so the crop matures in cool weather before Arkansas's first frost around November 1.
When will bush beans planted in Arkansas be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about May 30 to June 9, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Arkansas?
On average around April 3, with the first fall frost around November 1 - about 212 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.