How to grow green beans

Bush beans go straight into the garden, need no support and are ready in about two months.

Reviewed October 2026

A pile of freshly picked green beans — Freshly picked green beans. Photo: Bishwajit Ghose on Unsplash

Sow outside: After last frost
Seed depth: 1–1 1/2 in
Spacing: 2–4 in apart, rows 36 in
Days to harvest: 50–60

When to plant

Beans don't transplant well, so sow them directly in the garden after your last frost, once the soil has warmed. Cold, wet soil rots the seed. For a steady harvest, sow a short row every few weeks. The planting planner shows your earliest sowing date.

Sowing and spacing

Sow seed 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep, 2 to 4 inches apart, in rows about 36 inches apart.

Harvest

Bush beans are ready 50 to 60 days after sowing. Pick when pods are firm and slender, before the seeds bulge. Picking every few days keeps plants producing.

Planting dates in Florida

Region	When to plant
North Florida	March to April, and August to September
Central Florida	February to April, and August to September
South Florida	September to April

Sources

When to plant your vegetable garden, UNH Cooperative Extension
Vegetable planting chart, University of Georgia Extension
Florida vegetable gardening guide, UF/IFAS