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When to Plant Green Beans in Franklin County, FL

Green beans are a warm-season staple available as bush or pole types. Bush beans produce a concentrated harvest while pole beans provide a longer picking season.

Franklin County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 25 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.

At an elevation of 487 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 59.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Green Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Green Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Green Beans root diseases.

Franklin County, FL (Zone 8b) Year-round
276 days
Last Spring Frost February 25
276 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (174 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 8 🍅 Harvest: Apr 5 – May 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 25 🍅 Harvest: Apr 22 – Jun 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (165 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 7

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 966 gal / 100 sq ft
Green Beans needs ~1,265 GDD — county provides 6,094 GDD Excellent fit

Green Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Franklin County, FL

Green Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 25
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ Jun 24

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“65 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

276 days

Growing Tips for Franklin County

Direct sow after last frost when soil is warm. Provide sturdy supports for pole varieties. Pick beans regularly when young and tender to encourage continued production.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Fennel

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Green Beans Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Allow pods to dry fully on vine until they rattle.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4 years at 35ยฐF, under 45% humidity.

Avoid harvesting during damp weather. Isolate 25 ft between varieties.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Green Beans in Franklin County, FL?

Franklin County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 25. Plan your Green Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, FL?

Franklin County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 25 and first fall frost is November 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Franklin County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Franklin County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.