Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Beans (Green/Snap) in New Hampshire

Easy, productive, and they even improve your soil by fixing nitrogen. A perfect crop for beginners.

The Short Answer

In New Hampshire, beans (green/snap) planting dates vary by region. In Northern New Hampshire, your average last frost is around May 20 - Jun 5, while Southern New Hampshire sees its last frost around May 1 - May 20. Since beans (green/snap) are frost-sensitive, direct sow 1 weeks after your last frost date. Rocky, acidic New England soils. Glacial deposits. Granite bedrock. Raised beds essential in many areas.

New Hampshire Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of New Hampshire you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern New Hampshire	3b, 4a, 4b	May 20 - Jun 5	Sep 10 - Sep 25
Southern New Hampshire	5a, 5b, 6a	May 1 - May 20	Sep 25 - Oct 10

Beans (Green/Snap) Planting Schedule for New Hampshire

Northern New Hampshire (Zones 3b, 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: May 20 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 10 - Sep 25

Direct Sow

1 wks after frost

Southern New Hampshire (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

Direct Sow

1 wks after frost

Growing Beans (Green/Snap) in New Hampshire

Beans (Green/Snap) in New Hampshire's Climate

Beans are one of the most reliable warm-season crops for cold climates because they grow fast and mature quickly. Direct sow when soil reaches 60°F — typically late May to early June. Bush types produce a concentrated harvest in 50-55 days, which fits easily within even 100-day growing seasons. Pole types produce over a longer window but need more time to begin bearing.

Soil Considerations for New Hampshire

Rocky, acidic New England soils. Glacial deposits. Granite bedrock. Raised beds essential in many areas. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 60°F before planting beans (green/snap) outside.

New Hampshire Climate & Growing Season

Short growing season especially in north. Cold winters. Cool summers. Hardy varieties important. Beans (Green/Snap) cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

Growing season length varies across New Hampshire: Northern New Hampshire (3b, 4a, 4b) has a last frost around May 20 - Jun 5, while Southern New Hampshire (5a, 5b, 6a) sees frost end around May 1 - May 20. This difference matters for beans (green/snap) — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

Direct sow only — beans don't transplant well. Inoculate seeds with rhizobium for better nitrogen fixation.

Companion Planting

Plant beans (green/snap) alongside these companions for better growth:

Corn Squash Carrots Cucumbers

Keep beans (green/snap) away from:

Onions Garlic Chives

The Bottom Line

Beans (Green/Snap) can be grown successfully across New Hampshire, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern New Hampshire gardeners should plan around a May 20 - Jun 5 last frost, while those in Southern New Hampshire can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026