If you’re planning your Missouri vegetable garden, knowing when to plant green beans in Missouri is the key to a great harvest. Getting the timing right in spring makes all the difference for a healthy, productive crop.
Green beans are a favorite for good reason. They’re relatively easy to grow, produce heavily, and taste much better fresh from the garden. But planting them too early, when the soil is cold and wet, can lead to rotten seeds. Planting to late can expose young plants to summer’s worst heat. Let’s break down the perfect schedule for your region.
When to Plant Green Beans in Missouri
For most of Missouri, the optimal spring planting window is from late April through mid-May. The single most important rule is to wait until after your last average spring frost date and for the soil to warm up.
Green beans are warm-season crops. They need warm soil to germinate properly and warm air to grow strong. Here’s a more detailed regional guide:
- Southern Missouri (Zones 6b-7a): You can often start planting as early as April 15-25. Your last frost is typically earlier than the rest of the state.
- Central Missouri (Zone 6a): Aim for the last week of April through May 10. The St. Louis to Columbia corridor fits here.
- Northern Missouri (Zones 5b-6a): Hold off until May 5 through May 20. Frost danger persists longer here, so patience pays off.
A great old-fashioned tip is to watch nature’s cues. When the native dogwood trees are in full bloom, it’s usually a safe bet that soil temperatures are suitable for beans.
Understanding Soil Temperature is Crucial
Air temperature gets all the attention, but soil temperature is what your seeds actually feel. Green bean seeds germinate best when soil is at least 60°F. For a fast, strong start, aim for 70-80°F.
You can check this with a simple soil thermometer. Insert it about 2 inches deep in the morning for an accurate reading. If you don’t have one, a general rule is that if the soil feels comfortably warm to your bare hand, it’s probably ready. If it feels chilly or cold, wait another week.
Choosing Your Green Bean Type: Bush vs. Pole
Your planting schedule can be slightly affected by the type of bean you choose. Both have there advantages.
- Bush Beans: These grow in a compact bush form, don’t need support, and produce all their crop over a shorter period (about 2-3 weeks). They are often planted in succession.
- Pole Beans: These are vines that climb tall supports and produce beans continuously throughout the season until frost. They take a little longer to start producing.
For the earliest harvest, many gardeners plant a quick bush bean variety first. Then, a week or two later, they plant pole beans and more bush beans for a staggered harvest. Pole beans are a fantastic space-saver, too.
How to Plant Green Beans Step-by-Step
- Pick a Sunny Spot: Choose a location that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Prepare the Soil: Beans prefer well-drained soil. Work in some compost or aged manure, but avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can give you lush leaves but few beans.
- Plant the Seeds: Sow seeds 1 inch deep. Space bush bean seeds 3-4 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart. For pole beans, plant seeds 6 inches apart at the base of a trellis or teepee.
- Water Gently: Water the planted area well. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy until seeds sprout, which takes about 7-10 days.
- Thin if Needed: Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin bush beans to 4-6 inches apart and pole beans to about 8 inches apart for good air flow.
Tips for Extending Your Harvest
To enjoy beans all summer long, use succession planting. After your first planting of bush beans, plant another small block of seeds every two weeks until about 70 days before your first average fall frost. This gives you a constant supply instead of one big glut.
For pole beans, you usually only need one or two plantings, as they keep producing. Remember to keep picking! The more you harvest, the more the plant will flower and set new pods.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Planting in Cold, Wet Soil: This is the number one cause of seed failure. They will simply rot.
- Over-fertilizing: As mentioned, to much nitrogen hurts pod production. Beans fix their own nitrogen from the air.
- Planting to Deep: One inch deep is perfect. Deeper planting can hinder emergence.
- Ignoring Water Needs: Beans need regular water, especially when flowering and producing pods. Inconsistent watering can lead to misshapen or tough beans.
What to Do If a Late Frost Threatens
Missouri weather is famously unpredictable. If you’ve planted and a surprise late frost is forecast, don’t panic. You can cover your newly planted row or emerging seedlings with a frost cloth, old bedsheets, or even cardboard boxes. Remove the covers in the morning once the temperature rises. This simple step can save your crop.
FAQ: Planting Green Beans in Missouri
Can I plant green beans in July in Missouri?
Yes! You can plant a late summer crop for fall harvest. Aim to plant bush beans about 10-12 weeks before your first expected fall frost. This is often in early to mid-July for most of the state.
What are the best green bean varieties for Missouri?
Great bush varieties include ‘Provider’ (early and reliable), ‘Blue Lake’, and ‘Contender’. For pole beans, ‘Kentucky Blue’ and ‘Scarlet Runner’ (also attracts hummingbirds) do very well here.
How long do green beans take to grow?
Most bush beans are ready to harvest in 50-60 days. Pole beans take a bit longer, usually 60-70 days to first harvest.
Can I start green beans indoors?
It’s generally not recommended. Beans have sensitive roots and transplant poorly. They grow so quickly from seed sown directly in the garden that starting indoors doesn’t provide much benifit.
What should I plant after green beans?
Beans are great for the soil. After your bush beans finish, you can plant a fall crop of leafy greens like spinach or lettuce in that same space.
By following these simple guidelines and paying attention to soil temperature rather than just the calendar, you’ll set your green bean patch up for sucess. There’s nothing quite like the crisp snap of a fresh-picked green bean from your own Missouri garden.