When to plant pole beans in Arizona
Arizona’s average last spring frost is March 15, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 245 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b). Pole Bean needs 60–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Arizona's growing season.
Arizona covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant pole beans in Arizona: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 17 – Apr 5. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
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 pole beans in Arizona, 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 (Mar 17 – Apr 5). Space plants about 6 inches apart in rows 42 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 21 – May 31). Pole Bean takes 60-70 days to reach harvest. One well-tended sowing keeps producing for 6-8 weeks if you pick often. Set the trellis at sowing time.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Arizona’s average frost dates. More in the full pole bean growing guide.
Pole Bean planting dates by USDA zone in Arizona
Arizona spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b. 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 pole bean dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant pole bean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | - | May 12 – May 31 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | - | May 2 – May 21 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | - | Apr 17 – May 6 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | - | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | - | Mar 22 – Apr 10 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 | Nov 30 | 280 days | - | Feb 22 – Mar 13 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 | Dec 15 | 330 days | - | Feb 1 – Feb 20 |
When to plant pole beans in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona (this page) | March 15 | Mar 17 – Apr 5 |
| New Mexico | April 20 | Apr 22 – May 11 |
Questions gardeners in Arizona ask
When is the best time to plant pole beans in Arizona?
Sow pole beans in Arizona between March 17 and April 5. That timing is set by Arizona's average last spring frost of March 15; Arizona spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
What is the latest I can plant pole beans in Arizona?
About September 16. Pole beans need at least 60 days to mature, and frost around November 15 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will pole beans planted in Arizona be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, pole beans are usually ready from about May 21 to May 31, 60-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Arizona?
On average around March 15, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 245 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.