California · zones 7a–10b
When to plant green beans in California.
Sow between Jan 14 to Mar 6 in a typical year, keyed to California's median last frost around Jan 14. A second, fall sowing fits Aug 30 to Oct 2. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Green Beans dates for a typical California season.
Direct sow
Jan 14 to Mar 6
Keyed to the ~Jan 14 last frost. Sow 1" deep, 3" apart.
Fall round
Aug 30 to Oct 2
Counted back from the ~Dec 14 first frost.
Harvest
~55 days later
~0.75 lb per plant over ~3 weeks.
California spans more than one climate: Zone 10 is the most common zone, but the state runs 7a to 10b. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone: mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.
In California: watch for
The pests that find green beans here.
With about 334 frost-free days, bush bean spends longer in the ground here than in most of the country, which widens the window in which aphids can find it. Scout weekly from midseason and act on the first signs.
Orange or white spots on leaves late in the season.
Organic fix: Water at the base, space plants, spray neem.
Anthracnose
Sunken dark-red cankers on the pods, and leaf veins turning brick-red to black underneath.
Organic fix: Start with certified seed, water at the base, and stay out of the patch while the leaves are wet.
Your season math: California gives green beans about 334 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 55 days to a first harvest. That fits about 28 re-sown rounds across the season, so you can keep it coming instead of picking once.
Planting green beans in California: questions
When should I plant green beans in California?+
In a typical California year, sow green beans between Jan 14 to Mar 6, keyed to the state's median last frost around Jan 14. There's also a fall window: Aug 30 to Oct 2. Your exact dates shift with your ZIP code and microclimate.
What USDA zone is California?+
California spans zones 7a–10b, mostly zone 10. But frost dates, not zones, set planting time. The free planner uses your ZIP code's actual frost dates.
How many green beans plants do I need?+
Depends who you're feeding. The crop page has exact counts per household size, or the free planner does the math for your family in about 60 seconds.