When to plant bush beans in New Mexico
New Mexico’s average last spring frost is April 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 183 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 9a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within New Mexico's growing season.
New Mexico 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 New Mexico: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 22 – May 11. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in New Mexico: May 11 · May 25 · Jun 8 · Jun 22 · Jul 6 · Jul 20 · Aug 3 · Aug 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 New Mexico, 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 22 – May 11). 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 16 – Jun 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 New Mexico’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in New Mexico
New Mexico spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 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.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant bush bean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | - | May 12 – May 31 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | - | May 2 – May 21 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | - | Apr 17 – May 6 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | - | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | - | Mar 22 – Apr 10 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 | Nov 30 | 280 days | - | Feb 22 – Mar 13 |
When to plant bush beans in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico (this page) | April 20 | Apr 22 – May 11 |
| Arizona | March 15 | Mar 17 – Apr 5 |
Questions gardeners in New Mexico ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in New Mexico?
Sow bush beans in New Mexico between April 22 and May 11. That timing is set by New Mexico's average last spring frost of April 20; New Mexico spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in New Mexico?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 25 and August 11, so the crop matures in cool weather before New Mexico's first frost around October 20.
When will bush beans planted in New Mexico be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about June 16 to June 26, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in New Mexico?
On average around April 20, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 183 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.