Time to plant
Green beans, such as snap beans, require moderately warm weather and soil temperatures of 60° F or higher.
In cooler soil, seeds rot quickly and growth is retarded. Also, at temperatures below 60° F, plants can
be injured or killed by light frosts. Optimum temperatures for germination, growth, and good yields are
from 65° to 85° F. Exceptions to this are the lima beans, which prefer even higher temperatures, beginning
at 70° F. Fava beans are more tolerant of frosts and can be planted earlier for earlier harvests.
Beans are suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. In a suitable climate, snap beans
can be planted more than once a year for a continuous harvest. |
Planting
Dates for Beans* |
| California |
Direct Seed |
North and North Coast
(Monterey County north )
|
July
May–June |
South Coast
(San Luis Obispo County South) |
March–August |
Interior Valleys
(Sacramento, San Joaquin valleys) |
April–May
July–August |
Desert Valleys
(Imperial and Coachella valleys) |
January–March
August |
*Areas are large, so planting dates are only approximate,
as the climate may vary even in small sections of the state.
Contact experienced gardeners in your community and experiment
on your own to find more precise dates. |
