Bush Beans in Zone 3a & 3b
Phaseolus vulgaris
Yes, bush beans grow in zones 3a and 3b. Plant them outside Jun 6–Jun 13.
When to plant bush beans in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jun 6–Jun 13 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 31–Aug 7 (~55 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 3b
These go outside within two weeks of bush beans in zone 3b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoJun 13–Jun 20
- ZucchiniJun 6–Jun 13
- Winter SquashJun 6–Jun 13
- BroccoliniMay 30–Jun 6
- Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)May 30–Jun 6
- BurdockJun 6–Jun 13
Bush beans are about as low-effort as vegetable gardening gets: direct-sow the seed after your last frost, skip the trellis entirely, and harvest in under two months. They're a good crop to fill a bed with while slower plants like peppers and tomatoes are still getting established.
How bush beans fit zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Bush beans need about 55 days from sowing to first harvest.
Bush Beans planting windows in every zone
Zone 3b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b (your zone) | Not usually | Jun 6–Jun 13 | Jul 31–Aug 7 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 22–May 29 | Jul 16–Jul 23 |
| 5a & 5bSpring window | Not usually | May 17–May 24 | Jul 11–Jul 18 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Jul 28–Aug 11 | Sep 21–Oct 5 |
| 6a & 6bSpring window | Not usually | May 2–May 9 | Jun 26–Jul 3 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Aug 7–Aug 21 | Oct 1–Oct 15 |
| 7a & 7bSpring window | Not usually | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jun 11–Jun 18 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Aug 17–Aug 31 | Oct 11–Oct 25 |
| 8a & 8bSpring window | Not usually | Apr 1–Apr 8 | May 26–Jun 2 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Sep 2–Sep 16 | Oct 27–Nov 10 |
| 9a & 9bSpring window | Not usually | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Apr 18–Apr 25 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Sep 27–Oct 11 | Nov 21–Dec 5 |
| 10a & 10bSpring window | Not usually | Mar–Apr | ~55 days after direct-sowing |
| Summer window | Not usually | Aug–Sep | ~55 days after direct-sowing |
| 11a & 11bFall window | Not usually | Sep–Apr | ~55 days after direct-sowing |
Harvest dates are about 55 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
- Sweet Corn: The classic 'three sisters' pairing. WSU Extension confirms the real mechanism: corn stalks give beans something to climb, beans fix nitrogen the corn uses, and squash (the third sister) shades the soil to suppress weeds.
- Cucumber: Beans fix nitrogen that heavy-feeding cucumbers use.
Where to buy bush bean seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's bush bean seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Provider: Johnny's Selected Seeds notes Provider tolerates cool soils and can be planted earlier than other bush beans, with high resistance to Bean Common Mosaic Virus and powdery mildew, a solid, forgiving choice for a first bean planting. Buy: Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds Full notes
- Jade (F1): Johnny's calls it arguably their best-tasting bush bean, with 6-7 inch slender pods and high yields even under heat or cold stress. Buy: Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · High Mowing Organic Seeds Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing bush beans" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Bush Beans in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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