When to plant bush beans in Michigan
Michigan’s average last spring frost is May 10, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 148 frost-free days (USDA zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Michigan's growing season.
Michigan 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 Michigan: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow May 12 – May 31. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Michigan: May 31 · Jun 14 · Jun 28 · Jul 12 · Jul 26
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 Michigan, 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 (May 12 – May 31). 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 Jul 6 – Jul 16). 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 Michigan’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Michigan
Michigan spans USDA zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b. 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
Questions gardeners in Michigan ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Michigan?
Sow bush beans in Michigan between May 12 and May 31. That timing is set by Michigan's average last spring frost of May 10; Michigan spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Michigan?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 10 and July 27, so the crop matures in cool weather before Michigan's first frost around October 5.
When will bush beans planted in Michigan be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about July 6 to July 16, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Michigan?
On average around May 10, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 148 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.