When to plant bush beans in Tennessee
Tennessee’s average last spring frost is April 10, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 25 — about 198 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Tennessee's growing season.
When to plant bush beans in Tennessee: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 12 – May 1. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Tennessee: May 1 · May 15 · May 29 · Jun 12 · Jun 26 · Jul 10 · Jul 24 · Aug 7
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 Tennessee, 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 12 – May 1). 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 6 – Jun 16). 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 Tennessee’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Tennessee
Tennessee spans USDA zones 6a, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (this page) | April 10 | Apr 12 – May 1 |
| North Carolina | April 5 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| South Carolina | March 25 | Mar 27 – Apr 15 |
| Georgia | March 25 | Mar 27 – Apr 15 |
| Kentucky | April 18 | Apr 20 – May 9 |
Questions gardeners in Tennessee ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Tennessee?
Sow bush beans in Tennessee between April 12 and May 1. That timing is set by Tennessee's average last spring frost of April 10.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Tennessee?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 30 and August 16, so the crop matures in cool weather before Tennessee's first frost around October 25.
When will bush beans planted in Tennessee be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about June 6 to June 16, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Tennessee?
On average around April 10, with the first fall frost around October 25 - about 198 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.