Washington · zones 6b9a

When to plant green beans in Washington.

Sow between Apr 14 to Jun 4 in a typical year, keyed to Washington's median last frost around Apr 14. A second, fall sowing fits Jul 4 to Aug 6. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.

The 2026 windows

Green Beans dates for a typical Washington season.

Direct sow

Apr 14 to Jun 4

Keyed to the ~Apr 14 last frost. Sow 1" deep, 3" apart.

Fall round

Jul 4 to Aug 6

Counted back from the ~Oct 18 first frost.

Harvest

~55 days later

~0.75 lb per plant over ~3 weeks.

Washington spans more than one climate: Zone 8 is the most common zone, but the state runs 6b to 9a. 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 Washington: watch for

The pests that find green beans here.

A middle-length season, about 187 frost-free days, means bush bean overlaps mexican bean beetle for a stretch each summer. Check plants every week or two and treat early.

Mexican bean beetle

Coppery ladybug-like beetles; leaves skeletonized to lace.

Organic fix: Handpick adults and yellow egg clusters; neem.

Aphids

Clusters on the shoot tips.

Organic fix: Insecticidal soap or neem.

Rust & powdery mildew

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: Washington gives green beans about 187 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 55 days to a first harvest. That fits about 14 re-sown rounds across the season, so you can keep it coming instead of picking once.

Planting green beans in Washington: questions

When should I plant green beans in Washington?+

In a typical Washington year, sow green beans between Apr 14 to Jun 4, keyed to the state's median last frost around Apr 14. There's also a fall window: Jul 4 to Aug 6. Your exact dates shift with your ZIP code and microclimate.

What USDA zone is Washington?+

Washington spans zones 6b–9a, mostly zone 8. 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.