In zone 6, sow green beans outside from May 1 to May 8, right after your last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Expect your first beans about 50–60 days later, from June 20. For a fall crop, the last sowing date is about August 11.
Green bean dates for your ZIP code
Planting times based on university extension guidance (UNH, Cornell, Purdue, Minnesota, Nebraska and UMass Extension). Frost dates from NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest weather station. Zones derived from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map data (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). This is not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Green bean timing in zone 6
| Task | When |
|---|---|
| Sow outside | May 1 – May 8 |
| First harvest | June 20 – July 7 |
| Sow for fall by | August 11 |
| Sow again (bush beans) | Every 2 weeks into midsummer |
| Water | About 1 inch a week |
| Pick | Every few days, before the seeds bulge the pods |
Most of zone 6 sees its last spring frost between April 25 and May 8 (typical May 1) and its first fall frost between October 7 and October 18 (typical October 13). Beans are killed by frost and their seeds rot in cold soil, so wait for warm soil rather than planting on the frost date. The tool above uses the weather station closest to your ZIP code.
Why green beans wait for warm soil
Green beans are a warm-season crop. Frost kills them, and seed planted in cold, wet soil rots before it sprouts. They germinate well once the soil is at least 55 °F and grow best with air temperatures of 65–85 °F. That is why they are sown directly in the garden right after the last spring frost, not before.
Best green bean varieties for zone 6
Zone 6 has time for both bush and pole beans, and for a second crop in late summer.
- Bush beans: Blue Lake 274, Bronco, Roma II and Gina.
- Pole beans: Kentucky Wonder, Blue Lake and Kentucky Blue. They bear all summer until frost.
- Half-runners: Mountaineer and Volunteer grow about 3 feet tall and need little support.
How to plant green beans
- Sow seeds directly in the garden about 1 inch deep. Beans don’t need to be started indoors.
- Space bush beans about 4 inches apart in rows 2–3 feet apart.
- Give pole beans support before they come up: 6-foot stakes or a teepee, with two to four seeds at the base of each pole.
- Water about an inch a week if it doesn’t rain.
- Sow bush beans in batches every two weeks for a steady harvest. Pole beans bear until frost without resowing.
Zone 6 green bean tips
- Plant once the soil is at least 55 °F. Beans grow best with air temperatures of 65–85 °F.
- Sow a fall crop. Bush beans sown by your last fall sowing date mature in the cooler days of early fall.
- Expect a pause in hot spells. Above about 85 °F, bean flowers drop and production slows. It picks up again when it cools.
- Keep picking. Pick every few days while the pods are young and tender to keep the plants producing.
Harvesting green beans
Pick snap beans while they are young and tender, before the seeds bulge inside the pods, usually 50–60 days after sowing. Check the plants every few days: the more you pick, the more they produce. Pole beans can be picked many times through the summer.
Green bean planting dates in nearby zones
See dates for every zone on the green beans planting guide, or build a full schedule with the planting calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Is it too late to plant green beans in zone 6 in June?
No. Bush beans sown in June still have time to bear before your first frost around October 13. Keep sowing in batches until your last fall sowing date.
Why are my bean flowers falling off?
Usually heat. When days and nights are hot, above about 85 °F, beans drop their flowers and pollination suffers. Production returns when it cools.
Can I plant green beans before the last frost?
No. Frost kills bean plants, and seeds rot in cold soil. Sow right after your last frost, once the soil is at least 55 °F.
How deep should I plant green beans?
About 1 inch deep. Sow them directly in the garden; beans don’t transplant well.
How often should I sow bush beans?
Every two weeks. Bush beans bear most of their crop over a few weeks, so sowing in batches keeps the harvest going.
Sources. Planting dates use the median frost dates of each USDA zone, calculated from NOAA climate data for every ZIP code in the zone.