When to plant bush beans in Louisiana
Louisiana’s average last spring frost is March 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 255 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Louisiana's growing season.
When to plant bush beans in Louisiana: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 7 – Mar 26. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Louisiana: Mar 26 · Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 7 · May 21 · Jun 4 · Jun 18 · Jul 2
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 Louisiana, 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 7 – Mar 26). 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 1 – May 11). 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 Louisiana’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (this page) | March 5 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Mar 27 – Apr 15 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 22 – Apr 10 |
| Florida | February 12 | Feb 14 – Mar 5 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
Questions gardeners in Louisiana ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Louisiana?
Sow bush beans in Louisiana between March 7 and March 26. That timing is set by Louisiana's average last spring frost of March 5.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Louisiana?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 20 and September 6, so the crop matures in cool weather before Louisiana's first frost around November 15.
When will bush beans planted in Louisiana be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about May 1 to May 11, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Louisiana?
On average around March 5, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 255 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.