legume · direct sow
Dry Bean: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating dry bean a few times a week needs about 38 plants in ~38 sq ft, worth about $15 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 ~$2.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 10 | ~10 sq ft | ~19 | ~$4 |
| 2 people | 19 | ~19 sq ft | ~36 | ~$8 |
| 4 people | 38 | ~38 sq ft | ~72 | ~$15 |
| 6 people | 57 | ~57 sq ft | ~107 | ~$23 |
Spacing
6" in row · 24" between rows
Sow depth
1"
Days to harvest
95 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 22 – Jul 14 | — |
| Zone 4 | May 17 – Jul 9 | — |
| Zone 5 | May 7 – Jun 29 | — |
| Zone 6 | Apr 27 – Jun 19 | — |
| Zone 7 | Apr 12 – Jun 4 | — |
| Zone 8 | Apr 1 – May 24 | — |
| Zone 9 | Feb 27 – Apr 21 | — |
| Zone 10 | Feb 7 – Apr 1 | — |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 0.2 lbs per plant over ~1 productive weeks (~0.2 lb).
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 sweet-corn, winter-squash. Keep away from onion-bulb, garlic.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
333 kcal · 24.9 g fiber · 4.5 mg vitamin C · 1410 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.
Bean, dry cans, freezes, or dries for the pantry. See how much to grow and store to feed your household — and how long it keeps.