When to plant bush beans in Walla Walla, WA

Plant bush beans from seed, directly in the garden in Walla Walla, Apr 25 – Jun 6.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Walla Walla's typical last spring frost is March 27. Frost kills bush beans, and warm-season crops also need warm soil. Soil here stays cold for weeks after the last frost, so planting waits until about April 25.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

Difficulty: Easy
Sun: Full sun
Spacing: 3 inches apart
Planting depth: 1 inch deep
Frost: Killed by frost
First harvest: About 55 days after planting

Step by step

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant seeds Apr 25 – Jun 6, 1 inch deep, 3 inches apart.
Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
Harvest: Pick when pods are pencil-thick and before the seeds bulge. Picking often keeps plants producing.

Varieties that do well here

Provider (sprouts in cooler soil)
Blue Lake 274
Royal Burgundy

Watch out for

Seeds rot in cold, wet soil, the most common Northwest bean failure. Wait for warm soil.

Seeds rot in cold, wet soil. Wait until soil is consistently above 60°F.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Walla Walla, WA?

Typically March 27. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 22. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Walla Walla Regional Airport.

Is it too late to plant bush beans in Walla Walla?

The spring planting window runs through June 6. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around October 31.

How long until I can harvest bush beans?

About 55 days after planting. Pick when pods are pencil-thick and before the seeds bulge. Picking often keeps plants producing.