How Late Can You Plant Green Beans?

As summer goes on, you will be able to plant fewer warm-season crops that will still give you a good harvest. As long as you plant your beans late in the summer, you should still be able to harvest them.

Green beans are a favorite summer vegetable for many gardeners. Their versatility, ease of growth, and high yields make them an ideal crop for small spaces. But when is it too late to plant green beans for a fall harvest? This guide will walk you through the ideal timing and conditions for late summer and early fall green bean plantings.

Why Green Beans Are Best Planted in Summer

Green beans do best when daytime temperatures are consistently in the 70s F. This allows the plants to properly pollinate and set pods. Cooler fall temperatures can disrupt pollination. Green beans also need warm soil to germinate, ideally above 60 F.

Planting too late in fall brings the risk of frost or freeze damage. Temperatures below 50 F will damage plants and pods. A hard freeze below 32 F will kill the plants entirely. So it’s important to pay close attention to your fall frost date when planning late plantings.

Green beans are also highly susceptible to diseases in hot and humid weather. Planting during mid to late summer allows plants to mature before humidity levels rise in early fall. This reduces the chance of disease issues.

Recommended Last Planting Dates By Region

Use the following guidelines for determining the latest dates to plant green beans in your area:

Northern States and Canada

Plant no later than early August for a fall crop.
Bush varieties mature faster, in 50-55 days Pole types need 60-65 days.
Aim to harvest all beans before the first fall frost, usually by late September or October

Midwestern States

Plant bush beans by mid August and pole beans by early August.
Harvest before the first frost in October or November. Row covers can extend the season.

Southern States

Plant beans by late August. Heat tolerant varieties are best.
Harvest before first frost, anywhere from October to December depending on your zone.

Coastal Areas and Pacific Northwest

Plant beans by mid August at the latest.
Harvest beans before rain and cooler fall weather arrives, usually around late September.

Southwest

Plant heat tolerant varieties by early to mid August.
Harvest beans before frost threatens, as early as November in some areas.

Tips for Successful Late Plantings

Follow these tips to help your late summer green bean planting thrive:

Select early maturing bush bean varieties, which set pods faster. Good options include Provider, Contender, and Derby.
Use row covers or cloches to protect plants if cold temperatures arrive early.
Use drip irrigation to ensure consistent soil moisture. Beans are highly sensitive to drought stress.
Apply a balanced fertilizer when planting to support vigorous plants.
Scout regularly for pests like bean beetles that thrive in fall.
Harvest regularly to encourage more pod set before frost arrives.
Pull plants at first sign of frost damage to prevent diseases.
Plant a cover crop like clover or rye after clearing spent plants to enrich the soil.

Ideal Conditions for Late Planted Beans

Here are the optimal conditions to target for fall planted green beans:

Soil Temperature: At least 60-65 F for best germination. Use plastic mulch to warm the soil.
Daytime Highs: 70-80 F, to support pollination and pod set.
Nighttime Lows: Above 50 F, beans damaged below this temperature.
Soil Moisture: Consistent moisture, about 1-2 inches per week. Drought stress reduces yields.
Soil Quality: Well-drained, loose texture, with plenty of organic matter.
Sunlight: At least 6-8 hours of direct sun per day.

Meeting the above conditions will provide the best chance of success. But planting too late increases the risks of cold damage, drought stress, and pests.

Expected Yields from Late Plantings

You can expect slightly lower yields from late summer plantings compared to spring or early summer. But proper care can still provide abundant harvests. Here are some yield guidelines:

Bush beans: 5-10 lbs per 10 ft row.
Pole beans: 10-15 lbs per 10 ft row.
Container beans: 5-10 lbs per large pot or bucket.

The key is planting early enough to allow for full maturation before cold weather settles in. Avoid planting so late that frost kills plants before they can fully develop.

With the right timing, techniques, and care you can absolutely plant green beans in late summer for a productive fall crop. Just be sure to choose faster maturing varieties and keep a close eye on the fall frost dates in your area. With protection from row covers or cloches, you can extend the harvest season as late into fall as possible.

how late can you plant green beans

A late planting of beans

When putting in a late planting of beans you need to keep a couple of things in mind.

1. The days to maturity of the variety you have chosen. 2. The declining amount of sun as you move towards fall.

What varieties to choose for a late planting of beans

If you plant something late, you need at least 75 days before the first real threat of frost for it to work.

This also means you need to choose varieties that have a pretty short maturity date. Green beans will really be your only choice for a late planting of beans. And I would recommend that you choose bush varieties, not pole beans.

Bush beans seem to get right to growing beans much faster and spend a lot less time growing background plants. There are a lot of tasty varieties of bush beans that have maturity dates right around 60 days. I would suggest choosing one of these varieties. To learn more about growing green beans check out my complete guide to green beans!.

how late can you plant green beans

A Farmer’s Guide to Mastering Growing Green Beans

FAQ

Is it too late to plant green beans in August?

Beans (Zones 3-8): Early August is the last practical sowing date for both bush and pole beans now that the soil and air are warmed up.

Can green beans be planted in July?

It’s not too late to plant beans, Goodspeed says. Beans planted in early July generally start producing in mid August and continue until frost. Planting late helps beans avoid the Mexican bean beetle, which generally only attacks early beans. a good organic-rich soil and being watered deeply and infrequently.

How late in the summer can you plant bush beans?

To ensure a steady supply from my modest side-yard garden, I sow bush beans every few weeks from late April until August. By sowing the beans in wide swaths, rather than in single rows, I save garden space, increase production, conserve soil moisture, and smother weeds.

What month is best to plant green beans?

When to plant beans? Seeds are best sown outdoors any time after the last spring frost date, when soils have warmed to at least 48°F (9°C). Don’t plant too early, as cold, moist soil will delay germination and could cause the seeds to rot.

Can you plant beans late in summer?

As summer progresses there are fewer warm-season crops that you will be able to plant and still have a dependable harvest. A late planting of beans is one crop you can usually plant in mid-summer and still get a harvest. When putting in a late planting of beans you need to keep a couple of things in mind. 1.

Can you plant green beans late?

The declining amount of sun as you move towards fall. In order to be successful with a late planting you really need to have at least 75 days until your first real threat of frost. This also means you need to choose varieties that have a pretty short maturity date. Green beans will really be your only choice for a late planting of beans.

When can I harvest green beans?

With judicious use of row covers and by planting in full-sun areas, I can usually harvest green beans right up until that time. If you garden in similar weather, or live in a somewhat cooler growing zone but are willing to take extra measures to protect your plants, you can also grow green beans in the fall.

What should I do before planting green beans?

Before planting I amend the soil in my raised beds with an inch of compost and an application of a slow release organic vegetable fertilizer to provide nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. When growing green beans, don’t be in a rush to sow the seeds as planting when the soil is still cold and wet can lead to rot.