When to plant bush beans in Vermont
Vermont’s average last spring frost is May 14, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 25 — about 134 frost-free days (USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Vermont's growing season.
When to plant bush beans in Vermont: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow May 16 – Jun 4. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Vermont: Jun 4 · Jun 18 · Jul 2 · Jul 16
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 Vermont, 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 16 – Jun 4). 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 10 – Jul 20). 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 Vermont’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Vermont
Vermont spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont (this page) | May 14 | May 16 – Jun 4 |
| Maine | May 14 | May 16 – Jun 4 |
| New Hampshire | May 13 | May 15 – Jun 3 |
| 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 Vermont ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in Vermont?
Sow bush beans in Vermont between May 16 and June 4. That timing is set by Vermont's average last spring frost of May 14.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in Vermont?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between June 30 and July 17, so the crop matures in cool weather before Vermont's first frost around September 25.
When will bush beans planted in Vermont be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about July 10 to July 20, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Vermont?
On average around May 14, with the first fall frost around September 25 - about 134 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.