When to plant bush beans in Minnesota
Minnesota’s average last spring frost is May 6, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 28 — about 145 frost-free days (USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Minnesota's growing season.
When to plant bush beans in Minnesota: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow May 8 – May 27. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Minnesota: May 27 · Jun 10 · Jun 24 · Jul 8 · Jul 22
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 Minnesota, 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 8 – May 27). 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 2 – Jul 12). 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 Minnesota’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Minnesota
Minnesota spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. 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 Minnesota ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Minnesota?
Sow bush beans in Minnesota between May 8 and May 27. That timing is set by Minnesota's average last spring frost of May 6.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Minnesota?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 3 and July 20, so the crop matures in cool weather before Minnesota's first frost around September 28.
When will bush beans planted in Minnesota be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about July 2 to July 12, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Minnesota?
On average around May 6, with the first fall frost around September 28 - about 145 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.