When to plant bush beans in Kentucky
Kentucky’s average last spring frost is April 18, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 185 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Kentucky's growing season.
When to plant bush beans in Kentucky: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 20 – May 9. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Kentucky: May 9 · May 23 · Jun 6 · Jun 20 · Jul 4 · Jul 18 · Aug 1 · Aug 15
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 Kentucky, 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 20 – May 9). 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 14 – Jun 24). 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 Kentucky’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Kentucky
Kentucky spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky (this page) | April 18 | Apr 20 – May 9 |
| North Carolina | April 5 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| South Carolina | March 25 | Mar 27 – Apr 15 |
| Georgia | March 25 | Mar 27 – Apr 15 |
| Tennessee | April 10 | Apr 12 – May 1 |
Questions gardeners in Kentucky ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Kentucky?
Sow bush beans in Kentucky between April 20 and May 9. That timing is set by Kentucky's average last spring frost of April 18.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Kentucky?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 25 and August 11, so the crop matures in cool weather before Kentucky's first frost around October 20.
When will bush beans planted in Kentucky be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about June 14 to June 24, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Kentucky?
On average around April 18, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 185 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.