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When to Plant Green Beans in Suwannee 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.

Suwannee County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 267 days.

At an elevation of 383 feet, Suwannee County receives approximately 53.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Green Beans during the growing season. 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.

Suwannee County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Suwannee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – Jun 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (155 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – Jun 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 14

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.

Soil Compatibility in Suwannee County

How your county's soil matches Green Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1โ€“6.0) is more acidic than Green Beans prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Suwannee County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Green Beans will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.4%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Green Beans.

How to Plant Green Beans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Green Beans

6
successive plantings in your 267-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 22 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 135 gal / 100 sq ft
Green Beans needs ~1,049 GDD — county provides 4,872 GDD Excellent fit

Green Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Suwannee County, FL

Green Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Apr 1
Harvest May 6 May 6 โ€“ Jul 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“65 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

267 days in Suwannee County

Growing Tips for Green Beans in Suwannee County

Direct sow Green Beans outdoors after March 04 in Suwannee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Suwannee County dries quickly โ€” mulch Green Beans with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Common pests for Green Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Suwannee County, FL?

Suwannee County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Green Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Suwannee County, FL?

Suwannee County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Suwannee 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 Suwannee County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.