legume · direct sow · beginner friendly
Bush Bean: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating bush bean a few times a week needs about 15 plants in ~6 sq ft, worth about $34 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$3.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 4 | ~2 sq ft | ~8 | ~$9 |
| 2 people | 8 | ~3 sq ft | ~15 | ~$18 |
| 4 people | 15 | ~6 sq ft | ~27 | ~$34 |
| 6 people | 22 | ~9 sq ft | ~39 | ~$50 |
Spacing
3" in row · 18" between rows
Sow depth
1"
Days to harvest
55 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 15 – Jul 5 | Jun 1 – Jul 4 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 – Jun 30 | Jun 11 – Jul 14 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 – Jun 20 | Jun 21 – Jul 24 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 20 – Jun 10 | Jul 1 – Aug 3 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 – May 26 | Jul 11 – Aug 13 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 25 – May 15 | Aug 1 – Sep 3 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 – Apr 12 | Aug 21 – Sep 23 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 31 – Mar 23 | Aug 31 – Oct 3 |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 0.75 lbs per plant over ~3 productive weeks (~0.75 lb). Re-sow every ~10 days for a steady supply instead of one glut.
Watch for
Mexican bean beetle · Aphids · Rust & powdery mildew — the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with carrot, sweet-potato. Keep away from onion-bulb.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
31 kcal · 2.7 g fiber · 12.2 mg vitamin C · 211 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.