When to plant bush beans in Florida
Florida’s average last spring frost is February 12, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 10 — about 301 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Florida's growing season.
Florida 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 Florida: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Feb 14 – Mar 5. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Florida: Mar 5 · Mar 19 · Apr 2 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 14 · May 28 · Jun 11
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 Florida, 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 (Feb 14 – Mar 5). 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 Apr 10 – Apr 20). 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 Florida’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (this page) | February 12 | Feb 14 – Mar 5 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Mar 27 – Apr 15 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 22 – Apr 10 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
Questions gardeners in Florida ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Florida?
Sow bush beans in Florida between February 14 and March 5. That timing is set by Florida's average last spring frost of February 12; Florida spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Florida?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between September 14 and October 1, so the crop matures in cool weather before Florida's first frost around December 10.
When will bush beans planted in Florida be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about April 10 to April 20, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Florida?
On average around February 12, with the first fall frost around December 10 - about 301 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.