When to plant bush beans in North Carolina
North Carolina’s average last spring frost is April 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 25 — about 203 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within North Carolina's growing season.
North Carolina 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 North Carolina: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 7 – Apr 26. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in North Carolina: Apr 26 · May 10 · May 24 · Jun 7 · Jun 21 · Jul 5 · Jul 19 · Aug 2
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 North Carolina, 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 7 – Apr 26). 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 1 – Jun 11). 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 North Carolina’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in North Carolina
North Carolina spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (this page) | April 5 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| South Carolina | March 25 | Mar 27 – Apr 15 |
| Georgia | March 25 | Mar 27 – Apr 15 |
| Tennessee | April 10 | Apr 12 – May 1 |
| Kentucky | April 18 | Apr 20 – May 9 |
Questions gardeners in North Carolina ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in North Carolina?
Sow bush beans in North Carolina between April 7 and April 26. That timing is set by North Carolina's average last spring frost of April 5; North Carolina spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in North Carolina?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 30 and August 16, so the crop matures in cool weather before North Carolina's first frost around October 25.
When will bush beans planted in North Carolina be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about June 1 to June 11, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in North Carolina?
On average around April 5, with the first fall frost around October 25 - about 203 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.