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When to Plant Green Beans in Macomb County, MI

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.

Macomb County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 628 feet, Macomb County receives approximately 33.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Green Beans during the growing season.

Macomb County, MI (Zone 6a) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Macomb County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2

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 Macomb County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8โ€“6.9) overlaps with Green Beans's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Macomb County is excellent for Green Beans โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) โ€” Green Beans will thrive.

How to Plant Green Beans

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

Succession Planting Green Beans

4
successive plantings in your 175-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 16 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 142 gal / 100 sq ft
Green Beans needs ~1,049 GDD — county provides 3,193 GDD Excellent fit

Green Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Macomb County, MI

Green Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Aug 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

175 days in Macomb County

Growing Tips for Green Beans in Macomb County

Direct sow Green Beans outdoors after April 28 in Macomb County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Macomb County, MI?

Macomb County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Green Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Macomb County, MI?

Macomb County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Macomb County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Macomb County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.