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When to Plant Green Beans in Bath County, VA

Green Beans

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.

Bath County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 1,005 feet, Bath County receives approximately 43.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Green Beans during the growing season.

Bath County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22
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Bath County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Green Beans

Green Beans needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Green Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Bath County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Green Beans Planting Timeline — Bath County, VA

Green Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 – May 19
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 – Aug 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

50–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

184 days in Bath County

Growing Tips for Bath 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 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 35°F, under 45% humidity.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Green Beans in Bath County, VA?

Bath County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Green Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bath County, VA?

Bath County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 22.

🌱

Your Bath County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bath County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.