When to plant bush beans in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s average last spring frost is May 13, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 25 — about 135 frost-free days (USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within New Hampshire's growing season.
When to plant bush beans in New Hampshire: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow May 15 – Jun 3. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in New Hampshire: Jun 3 · Jun 17 · Jul 1 · Jul 15
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 New Hampshire, 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 15 – Jun 3). 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 9 – Jul 19). 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 New Hampshire’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in New Hampshire
New Hampshire spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire (this page) | May 13 | May 15 – Jun 3 |
| Maine | May 14 | May 16 – Jun 4 |
| Vermont | May 14 | May 16 – Jun 4 |
| Massachusetts | April 24 | Apr 26 – May 15 |
| Rhode Island | April 25 | Apr 27 – May 16 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | Apr 27 – May 16 |
| New York | May 1 | May 3 – May 22 |
Questions gardeners in New Hampshire ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in New Hampshire?
Sow bush beans in New Hampshire between May 15 and June 3. That timing is set by New Hampshire's average last spring frost of May 13.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in New Hampshire?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between June 30 and July 17, so the crop matures in cool weather before New Hampshire's first frost around September 25.
When will bush beans planted in New Hampshire be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about July 9 to July 19, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in New Hampshire?
On average around May 13, with the first fall frost around September 25 - about 135 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.