When to plant bush beans in Maryland
Maryland’s average last spring frost is April 14, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 189 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Maryland's growing season.
Maryland 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 Maryland: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 16 – May 5. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Maryland: May 5 · May 19 · Jun 2 · Jun 16 · Jun 30 · Jul 14 · Jul 28 · Aug 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 Maryland, 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 16 – May 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 Jun 10 – Jun 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 Maryland’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Maryland
Maryland spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland (this page) | April 14 | Apr 16 – May 5 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Apr 22 – May 11 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Apr 16 – May 5 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Apr 12 – May 1 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Apr 17 – May 6 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | May 7 – May 26 |
Questions gardeners in Maryland ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Maryland?
Sow bush beans in Maryland between April 16 and May 5. That timing is set by Maryland's average last spring frost of April 14; Maryland spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Maryland?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 25 and August 11, so the crop matures in cool weather before Maryland's first frost around October 20.
When will bush beans planted in Maryland be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about June 10 to June 20, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Maryland?
On average around April 14, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 189 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.