When to plant bush beans in District of Columbia
District of Columbia’s average last spring frost is April 10, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 25 — about 198 frost-free days (USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within District of Columbia's growing season.
When to plant bush beans in District of Columbia: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 12 – May 1. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in District of Columbia: May 1 · May 15 · May 29 · Jun 12 · Jun 26 · Jul 10 · Jul 24 · Aug 7
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 District of Columbia, 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 12 – May 1). 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 Jun 6 – Jun 16). 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 District of Columbia’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in District of Columbia
District of Columbia spans USDA zones 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 |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia (this page) | April 10 | Apr 12 – May 1 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Apr 22 – May 11 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Apr 16 – May 5 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Apr 16 – May 5 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Apr 17 – May 6 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | May 7 – May 26 |
Questions gardeners in District of Columbia ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in District of Columbia?
Sow bush beans in District of Columbia between April 12 and May 1. That timing is set by District of Columbia's average last spring frost of April 10.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in District of Columbia?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 30 and August 16, so the crop matures in cool weather before District of Columbia's first frost around October 25.
When will bush beans planted in District of Columbia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about June 6 to June 16, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in District of Columbia?
On average around April 10, with the first fall frost around October 25 - about 198 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.