When to plant bush beans in Mississippi
Mississippi’s average last spring frost is March 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 5 — about 230 frost-free days (USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Mississippi's growing season.
When to plant bush beans in Mississippi: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 22 – Apr 10. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Mississippi: Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 8 · May 22 · Jun 5 · Jun 19 · Jul 3 · Jul 17
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 Mississippi, 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 22 – Apr 10). 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 16 – May 26). 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 Mississippi’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Mississippi
Mississippi spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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 Mississippi ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Mississippi?
Sow bush beans in Mississippi between March 22 and April 10. That timing is set by Mississippi's average last spring frost of March 20.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Mississippi?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 10 and August 27, so the crop matures in cool weather before Mississippi's first frost around November 5.
When will bush beans planted in Mississippi be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about May 16 to May 26, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Mississippi?
On average around March 20, with the first fall frost around November 5 - about 230 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.