When to plant bush bean in California
California spans USDA zones 6b–11a, so the right time to plant bush bean shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about January 5 in San Mateo to June 16 in Truckee — below are local dates for 497 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10b | January 2 | December 26 | January 9 – February 13 |
| San Diego | 10b | January 6 | December 21 | January 13 – February 17 |
| San Jose | 9b | January 2 | December 25 | January 9 – February 13 |
| San Francisco | 10a | December 30 | December 25 | January 6 – February 10 |
| Fresno | 9b | January 14 | December 14 | January 21 – February 25 |
| Sacramento | 9b | January 12 | December 16 | January 19 – February 23 |
| Long Beach | 10b | January 9 | January 5 | January 16 – February 20 |
| Oakland | 10a | January 7 | December 23 | January 14 – February 18 |
Bush Bean in California: FAQ
When can I plant bush bean in California?
Across California, the time to direct-sow bush bean spans roughly January 5 in San Mateo to June 16 in Truckee, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the bush bean planting date vary across California?
Yes. California publishes 497 cities with their own frost dates, so the right bush bean planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does bush bean take to grow in California?
Bush Bean takes about 50–60 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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