When to plant runner bean in California
California spans USDA zones 6b–11a, so the right time to plant runner 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 – January 23 |
| San Diego | 10b | January 6 | December 21 | January 13 – January 27 |
| San Jose | 9b | January 2 | December 25 | January 9 – January 23 |
| San Francisco | 10a | December 30 | December 25 | January 6 – January 20 |
| Fresno | 9b | January 14 | December 14 | January 21 – February 4 |
| Sacramento | 9b | January 12 | December 16 | January 19 – February 2 |
| Long Beach | 10b | January 9 | January 5 | January 16 – January 30 |
| Oakland | 10a | January 7 | December 23 | January 14 – January 28 |
Runner Bean in California: FAQ
When can I plant runner bean in California?
Across California, the time to direct-sow runner bean spans roughly January 5 in San Mateo to June 16 in Truckee, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the runner bean planting date vary across California?
Yes. California publishes 497 cities with their own frost dates, so the right runner 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 runner bean take to grow in California?
Runner Bean takes about 65–90 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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