Growing crunchy, sweet green beans is a rewarding summer garden task in Kansas. With the right timing on planting, you can enjoy fresh green beans throughout the season. This guide covers everything about determining the optimal time to plant green beans in Kansas.
Overview of Green Bean Needs
Green beans require warm soil and air temperatures to thrive. The ideal growing conditions:
- Soil temperature above 60°F
- Daytime temps of 65-85°F
- Nighttime temps above 50°F
- Consistent moisture
Beans won’t germinate well in cold, soggy soil Mature plants can’t tolerate frost or freezes.
Time your planting so young sprouts aren’t exposed to chill. Plant successively for continued harvests until fall frosts end the season.
Average Planting Dates for Kansas
Here are the general windows for planting green beans in Kansas:
- Western Kansas: May 1-20
- Central Kansas: April 20-May 5
- Eastern Kansas: April 10-30
But it’s better to use soil temperature than rely solely on these averages. Weather varies each spring.
Check Soil Temperature for Planting
The most reliable way to know when to plant is to use a soil thermometer. Plant green beans when the soil temps reach 60-65°F in the morning. This usually occurs about 2 weeks after the last spring frost.
Here are the average last spring frost dates for some popular Kansas towns:
- Wichita: April 20
- Topeka: April 25
- Kansas City: April 15
- Manhattan: April 25
- Lawrence: April 15
- Hutchinson: April 25
- Salina: April 25
Start Seeds Indoors for Earlier Planting
You can gain up to 4 weeks on the season by starting seeds indoors in pots and transplanting the seedlings out later.
Start seeds 3-4 weeks before your average last spring frost. Harden off the seedlings before transplanting by setting them outside for a few hours per day.
Just make sure to plant them in the garden after any danger of frost has passed. Young plants can still get injured by cold temps.
Tips for Planting Success
Follow these tips when sowing green beans:
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Plant 1-2 inches deep in loose, well-drained soil. Space 2-4 inches apart in rows 18-36 inches apart.
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Prepare soil by mixing in compost for fertility and organic matter.
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Sow succession crops every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvests. Choose disease-resistant varieties.
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Water soil regularly, especially during germination, flowering and pod set.
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Use mulch to conserve moisture and prevent weeds. Grass clippings or straw work well.
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Consider trellises and supports for pole beans to climb.
Enter your zip code or postal code above.
Based on your zip code or postal code, the planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the spring and when to plant in the fall.
Based on the date of the last spring frost, our planting calendar for spring starts with the earliest dates you can plant. Still, don’t worry if you missed these dates. That’s why we added “last planting dates” to our spring calendar. This is to help new gardeners understand that they could still plant crops even if they missed the first planting window.
In fact, many crops that don’t need much time to grow (like radishes) can be planted over and over again in the north all summer long. But keep in mind that cool-season crops like kale and lettuce don’t do well in hot weather, which can lead to bolting problems. Some gardeners need a break in the summer to avoid the heat, especially those in the South. They can start again after the heat has passed.
We can give each user in the country a different calendar because the dates are based on the number of weeks before or after frost. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage.
When we say “fall,” we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. This is like a second summer! If you’ve already prepared the soil, it’s easy to keep the plants growing!
For a fall crop, many plants that would be started indoors in the spring can be stuck right into the ground. The soil is already warm, and there are fewer bugs and more rain, so you don’t have to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be picked before the first frost, but many can handle the cold and even enjoy the taste of a frosty harvest!
See each plants individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.
Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:
- When to plant seeds indoors to get a head start on the season
- When to plant seedlings outside: When to put in small seedlings that you grew inside OR starter plants that you bought at a garden center
- Start Seeds Outside: When to put seeds straight into the ground outside
- Last Day to Plant: You can plant between the dates marked “start seeds” and this “last date.” If you wait any longer, the crop won’t have time to be picked before the fall or winter frosts.
The “Moon Dates” indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.
If N/A shows up in the chart, that way of starting is probably not the best idea, but it’s still possible.
Why Do You Start Seeds Indoors?
When you start seeds indoors (in seed trays or starter pots), they get a head start on the growing season. This is especially important in places where the growing season is short. Starting seeds indoors also allows young, tender plants to grow in a stable, controlled environment. Outdoors, plants can be hurt by sun, bugs, diseases, drought, frost, rain, and temperatures that are too high or too low. This is especially true for young plants that are just starting to grow. You can control these things inside to help your plants grow quickly and give them the best chance of doing well when they are moved outside.
It’s best to start seeds about 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date for most plants that can be moved inside. This gives the plants plenty of time to get big and healthy enough to make it to the garden when they’re ready. Read more about starting seeds indoors here.
How & When To Plant Bush (green) Beans! Timing & Rows A Must!
FAQ
When can you plant green beans in Kansas?
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Crop
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Based on Frost Dates Based on Moon Dates
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Start Seeds Outdoors
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Frost Tolerance
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Garlic
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Nov 5-19 Nov 16-19
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Frost-hardy
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Green Beans
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Aug 7-21 Aug 7-19
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Tender
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Kale
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Aug 14-28 Aug 14-19
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Frost-hardy
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What month do you plant green beans?
What are the best beans to grow in Kansas?
What not to plant next to green beans?
When should I start seeds indoors?
For most crops that can be started indoors, seeds should be started about 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. This gives the plants ample time to grow large and healthy enough to survive their eventual transplanting to the garden. Read more about starting seeds indoors here .
When is a good time to plant a garden?
February is a also a good time to give houseplants a little TLC. • Draw garden layouts to assist with the planning process. • Review garden notes about successes and failure in the garden.
When should you plant radishes & beets?
Just be on the lookout for late frosts! • Start fruit tree spray schedule when growth begins • Plant carrots, onions, beets and other salad crops in early April • Thin radishes, beets and carrots as needed • Harvest asparagus until spear size decreases.
How do I prepare my garden for January?
January is a time of preparation and preventative maintenance in the garden. Browse catalogs, dream of what your garden can become, and do a few things outside on the warmer days. • Pick up and discard fallen fruit before spring arrives. • As nursery catalogs begin to arrive, look for plants with improved insect and disease resistance.