When to plant bush beans in Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s average last spring frost is April 25, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 15 — about 173 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Rhode Island's growing season.
When to plant bush beans in Rhode Island: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 27 – May 16. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Rhode Island: May 16 · May 30 · Jun 13 · Jun 27 · Jul 11 · Jul 25 · Aug 8
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 Rhode Island, 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 27 – May 16). 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 21 – Jul 1). 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 Rhode Island’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Rhode Island
Rhode Island spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island (this page) | April 25 | Apr 27 – May 16 |
| Maine | May 14 | May 16 – Jun 4 |
| New Hampshire | May 13 | May 15 – Jun 3 |
| Vermont | May 14 | May 16 – Jun 4 |
| Massachusetts | April 24 | Apr 26 – May 15 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | Apr 27 – May 16 |
| New York | May 1 | May 3 – May 22 |
Questions gardeners in Rhode Island ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Rhode Island?
Sow bush beans in Rhode Island between April 27 and May 16. That timing is set by Rhode Island's average last spring frost of April 25.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Rhode Island?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 20 and August 6, so the crop matures in cool weather before Rhode Island's first frost around October 15.
When will bush beans planted in Rhode Island be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about June 21 to July 1, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Rhode Island?
On average around April 25, with the first fall frost around October 15 - about 173 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.