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ZIP 27601 planting calendar

When to plant bush beans in Raleigh, NC - Zone 8a

In ZIP 27601, plant bush beans around Apr 17; this uses the Raleigh frost station, USDA zone 8a, and bush beans timing rules.

Your Raleigh calendar has a 205-day estimated frost-free season. This estimate uses the representative Raleigh frost station, USDA zone 8a, and bush beans timing rules.

Source: raleigh-durham frost station, USDA zone 8a, last updated 2026-06-28. Verify locally before planting high-value crops because microclimates, current weather, and yard exposure can move the safe date.

USDA zone 8a Raleigh frost station NC State Extension Updated 2026-06-28
Read the method

Answer first

When to start bush beans seeds indoors in Raleigh

In ZIP 27601, bush beans is usually direct-sown around Apr 17 instead of started indoors.

Bush beans is normally direct-sown in Raleigh. Use around Apr 17 as the outdoor planting window for ZIP 27601.

Seed starting schedule

Bush beans dates for Raleigh, NC

StepDateHow to use it
Direct SowApril 17, 2026Sow seed outside when the crop and soil can handle the window.

Last frost

When is the last frost in Raleigh?

Raleigh (ZIP 27601) has an average last spring frost around Apr 10.

First frost

When is the first frost in Raleigh?

The average first fall frost is around Nov 1, giving about 205 frost-free days.

Season map

Bush beans windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Direct sow
Apr 17
Harvest
Jun 11
Frost watch
Sep 7

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Last frost windowApr 10
Direct sow bush beansApr 17
First bush beans harvest windowJun 11
Last bush beans sowing targetSep 7
SignalValueWhy it matters
Last frost estimateApril 10, 2026Warm-season transplant risk starts falling after this window.
First frost estimateNovember 1, 2026Fall planting counts backward from this date.
Season length205 daysLonger seasons can support succession crops.
Spacing4-6 inAirflow and root space affect yield.
Soil temperature60 F+Seeds and transplants stall in cold soil.

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Local data

Why this date changes by ZIP

Raleigh frost history and USDA zone 8a shift the safe planting window. GrowZone uses a local representative station instead of one national rule.

NC State Extension is the kind of local source to verify against when a crop is expensive, weather is unusual, or your yard has a cold pocket.

Crop note

Bush beans timing notes

Wait until soil is warm, then sow every two weeks for a steady crop. Bush beans prefers full sun, 4-6 in spacing, and soil near 60 F+.

For fall, count backward from Nov 1. A conservative last sowing target is around Sep 7.