When to plant bush beans in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s average last spring frost is April 1, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 1 — about 214 frost-free days (USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Oklahoma's growing season.
When to plant bush beans in Oklahoma: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 3 – Apr 22. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Oklahoma: Apr 22 · May 6 · May 20 · Jun 3 · Jun 17 · Jul 1 · Jul 15 · Jul 29
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 Oklahoma, 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 3 – Apr 22). 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 28 – Jun 7). 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 Oklahoma’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Oklahoma
Oklahoma spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma (this page) | April 1 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| North Dakota | May 15 | May 17 – Jun 5 |
| South Dakota | May 10 | May 12 – May 31 |
| Nebraska | April 30 | May 2 – May 21 |
| Kansas | April 15 | Apr 17 – May 6 |
Questions gardeners in Oklahoma ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Oklahoma?
Sow bush beans in Oklahoma between April 3 and April 22. That timing is set by Oklahoma's average last spring frost of April 1.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Oklahoma?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 6 and August 23, so the crop matures in cool weather before Oklahoma's first frost around November 1.
When will bush beans planted in Oklahoma be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about May 28 to June 7, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Oklahoma?
On average around April 1, with the first fall frost around November 1 - about 214 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.