When to plant bush beans in West Virginia
West Virginia’s average last spring frost is May 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 153 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Bush Bean needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within West Virginia's growing season.
When to plant bush beans in West Virginia: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow May 7 – May 26. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in West Virginia: May 26 · Jun 9 · Jun 23 · Jul 7 · Jul 21
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 West Virginia, 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 7 – May 26). 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 1 – Jul 11). 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 West Virginia’s average frost dates. More in the full bush bean growing guide.
Bush Bean planting dates by USDA zone in West Virginia
West Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia (this page) | May 5 | May 7 – May 26 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Apr 22 – May 11 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Apr 16 – May 5 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Apr 16 – May 5 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Apr 12 – May 1 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Apr 17 – May 6 |
Questions gardeners in West Virginia ask
When is the best time to plant bush beans in West Virginia?
Sow bush beans in West Virginia between May 7 and May 26. That timing is set by West Virginia's average last spring frost of May 5.
Can I plant bush beans in the fall in West Virginia?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 10 and July 27, so the crop matures in cool weather before West Virginia's first frost around October 5.
When will bush beans planted in West Virginia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bush beans are usually ready from about July 1 to July 11, 50-60 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in West Virginia?
On average around May 5, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 153 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.