When to plant bush beans in Massachusetts
Massachusetts’s average last spring frost is April 24, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 14 — about 173 frost-free days (USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Massachusetts's growing season.
When to plant bush beans in Massachusetts: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 26 – May 15. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Massachusetts: 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 Massachusetts, 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 26 – May 15). 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 20 – Jun 30). 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 Massachusetts’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Massachusetts
Massachusetts spans USDA zones 5a, 5b, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts (this page) | April 24 | Apr 26 – May 15 |
| Maine | May 14 | May 16 – Jun 4 |
| New Hampshire | May 13 | May 15 – Jun 3 |
| Vermont | May 14 | May 16 – Jun 4 |
| Rhode Island | April 25 | Apr 27 – May 16 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | Apr 27 – May 16 |
| New York | May 1 | May 3 – May 22 |
Questions gardeners in Massachusetts ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Massachusetts?
Sow bush beans in Massachusetts between April 26 and May 15. That timing is set by Massachusetts's average last spring frost of April 24.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Massachusetts?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 19 and August 5, so the crop matures in cool weather before Massachusetts's first frost around October 14.
When will bush beans planted in Massachusetts be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about June 20 to June 30, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Massachusetts?
On average around April 24, with the first fall frost around October 14 - about 173 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.