North Carolina growing guide
When to Plant Green Beans in North Carolina
Last reviewed by GardenSproutly against the sources listed on this page.
- Days to harvest
- Bush: 50–55 days. Pole: 65–70 days[4]
- Spacing
- Bush 2 in.; pole 6 in.[4]
- Soil temperature
- At least 60°F for seed germination[6]
Green beans planting dates by region
Outdoor planting windows from NC State Extension's regional calendars[3],[4],[5], with indoor seed-starting dates and harvest estimates worked out from them. Adjust for your local frost dates and weather.
Beans, snap (bush)
Eastern North Carolina
Coastal Plain
- Sow seeds outdoors
- Mar 15 – Jun 1Estimated harvest: May 4 – Jul 26Aug 1 – Oct 1Estimated harvest: Sep 20 – Nov 25
Days to harvest: 50–55Spacing: 2 in.
Central North Carolina
Piedmont
- Sow seeds outdoors
- Mar 15 – Sep 15Estimated harvest: May 4 – Nov 9
Days to harvest: 50–55Spacing: 2 in.
Western North Carolina
Mountains
- Sow seeds outdoors
- May 1 – Jul 1Estimated harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 25
Days to harvest: 50–55Spacing: 2 in.
Beans, snap (pole)
Eastern North Carolina
Coastal Plain
- Sow seeds outdoors
- Apr 1 – Oct 1Estimated harvest: Jun 5 – Dec 10
Days to harvest: 65–70Spacing: 6 in.
Central North Carolina
Piedmont
- Sow seeds outdoors
- Apr 1 – Sep 15Estimated harvest: Jun 5 – Nov 24
Days to harvest: 65–70Spacing: 6 in.
Western North Carolina
Mountains
- Sow seeds outdoors
- May 1 – Jul 1Estimated harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 9
Days to harvest: 65–70Spacing: 6 in.
Timing your plantings
Wait for warm soil. Beans need a soil temperature of at least 60°F to germinate. Henderson County Extension recommends judging soil temperature by a 3-day average.[6]
In western North Carolina, beans are an exception to the general advice to plant early, because they are susceptible to stem rot in cold weather.[5]
The eastern and central calendars list a long run of sowing dates for bush and pole beans, with spring and late-summer plantings.[3],[4]
Sowing bean seed
- Choose full sun and fertile, well-drained soil.[2]
- If the soil is dry at planting, water it 4 to 6 inches deep and let the surface dry before seeding.[1]
- Plant beans by drilling: space seeds evenly down the row, a little closer than the final spacing, and thin extra plants after they come up.[1]
- In spring and summer, plant seeds 1 to 2 times as deep as their widest diameter. In fall, plant them 1½ to 2 times deeper than that.[1]
- Plant again every few weeks within the recommended window to spread out your harvest.[4]
Harvesting snap beans
Beans and soil health
Beans add nitrogen back to the soil and form a beneficial relationship with soil fungi that improves their uptake of water and nutrients.[2]
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant green beans in North Carolina?
Eastern North Carolina: Beans, snap (bush): sow seeds outdoors Mar 15 – Jun 1; Aug 1 – Oct 1. Beans, snap (pole): sow seeds outdoors Apr 1 – Oct 1. Central North Carolina: Beans, snap (bush): sow seeds outdoors Mar 15 – Sep 15. Beans, snap (pole): sow seeds outdoors Apr 1 – Sep 15. Western North Carolina: Beans, snap (bush): sow seeds outdoors May 1 – Jul 1. Beans, snap (pole): sow seeds outdoors May 1 – Jul 1.[3],[4],[5]
Sources
- [1]Extension Gardener Handbook, Chapter 16: Vegetable Gardening — NC State Extension. Published February 1, 2022. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Cool- and warm-season crop groupings, seed-sowing depth, transplant growing times and temperatures (Table 16-3), soil preparation, succession planting, and harvest indicators. Scope: Written for North Carolina and the southeastern United States.
- [2]Phaseolus vulgaris (Bean) — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Bean sun and soil needs, bush versus pole habit, and regular harvest of snap beans. Scope: North Carolina.
- [3]Eastern North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs (AG-756-02) — NC State Extension. Published June 15, 2016. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Outdoor planting dates, planting methods, days to harvest, and plant spacing for eastern North Carolina. Scope: Eastern North Carolina. The publication does not define county boundaries.
- [4]Central North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs (AG-756-01) — NC State Extension. Published July 8, 2016. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Outdoor planting dates, planting methods, days to harvest, plant spacing, and the 6–8 week transplant-starting rule for central North Carolina. Scope: Central North Carolina. The publication does not define county boundaries.
- [5]Western North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs (AG-756-03) — NC State Extension. Published August 4, 2016. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Outdoor planting dates, planting methods, days to harvest, and plant spacing for western North Carolina, plus regional pest-timing advice. Scope: Western North Carolina. The publication does not define county boundaries.
- [6]Spring Soil Temperatures Are Important — N.C. Cooperative Extension, Henderson County Center. March 4, 2021. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Minimum soil temperatures for seed germination and measuring soil temperature as a 3-day average. Scope: Written for Henderson County (western NC); germination minimums are crop properties.