When to Plant Green Bean in Colorado
Direct Sow Outdoors
Monday, March 9, 2026
State
Colorado
USDA Zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a
Avg Last Frost
Monday, April 20, 2026
Cities Covered
397
Colorado Planting Schedule by Zone
Colorado spans 7 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.
| Zone | Last Frost | Direct Sow |
|---|---|---|
| 4a | Friday, May 15, 2026 | Friday, April 3, 2026 |
| 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| 7a | Friday, April 10, 2026 | Friday, February 27, 2026 |
Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.
🌿 About Green Bean
🤝 Companion Plants for Green Bean
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Growing Green Bean in Colorado: Complete Guide
Green Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is a crop that grows best when sown directly in the garden. In Colorado, the right time to direct sow is around Monday, March 9, 2026, once soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for germination.
Because Colorado stretches across 7 USDA hardiness zones (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.
With 55 days to maturity, Green Bean fits comfortably within Colorado's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.
Green Bean requires full sun (6-8 hours) and regular (1 inch/week) moisture. Mountain-state gardens contend with short seasons and intense UV at elevation — cold nights can persist well into June at higher altitudes.
For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Colorado.
Growing Green Bean in Colorado: Local Tips
Climate-specific advice for Colorado gardeners.
One main planting, harvest before frost
At altitude, plant after last frost (late May–June) and choose 50–55-day bush varieties; pole beans ripen too late at 5,000+ ft elevations in Colorado and Utah.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Green Bean in Colorado?
In Colorado, direct sow Green Bean outdoors around Monday, March 9, 2026. Colorado spans zones 4a–7a, so gardeners in warmer zones can plant earlier.
What is the last frost date in Colorado?
Colorado spans 7 USDA zones (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a), so last frost dates vary by region. Hartsel, Gunnison, Craig (4a) sees frost until around Friday, May 15, 2026, while Cortez, Mesa Verde National Park, Towaoc (7a) is frost-free much earlier.
How long does Green Bean take to grow in Colorado?
Green Bean takes about 55 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. In Colorado's longer-season zones, a second planting in late summer may be possible.
What USDA zones does Colorado cover for Green Bean?
Colorado includes zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. Green Bean grows well across all of these zones with adjusted timing — use the zone table above to find the right dates for your part of the state.
When to Plant Green Bean by City in Colorado
Dates are based on each city's USDA zone and average last frost.
| City | Zone | Last Frost | Direct Sow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agate | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Aguilar | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Akron | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Alamosa | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| Allenspark | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Alma | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Almont | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Amherst | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Anton | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Antonito | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Arapahoe | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Arboles | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Arlington | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Arriba | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Arvada | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Aspen | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Atwood | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Ault | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Aurora | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Austin | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Avon | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Avondale | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Bailey | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Basalt | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Battlement Mesa | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Bayfield | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Bedrock | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Bellvue | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Bennett | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Berthoud | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Bethune | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Beulah | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Black Hawk | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Blanca | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Boncarbo | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Bond | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Boone | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Boulder | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Branson | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Breckenridge | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Briggsdale | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Brighton | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Broomfield | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Brush | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Buena Vista | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Buffalo Creek | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Burlington | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Burns | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Byers | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Cahone | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Calhan | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Campo | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Canon City | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Capulin | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Carbondale | 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| Carr | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Cascade | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Castle Rock | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Cedaredge | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Center | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
Showing 60 of 397 cities. Enter your ZIP on the planting calendar for your exact dates.