When to Plant Beans (Green/Snap) in Tennessee
Easy, productive, and they even improve your soil by fixing nitrogen. A perfect crop for beginners.
The Short Answer
Tennessee Frost Dates
Your planting dates depend on which part of Tennessee you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:
| Region | Zones | Last Frost (Spring) | First Frost (Fall) |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee | 6a, 6b, 7a | Apr 5 - Apr 25 | Oct 10 - Oct 25 |
| Middle Tennessee | 6b, 7a | Apr 5 - Apr 20 | Oct 15 - Nov 1 |
| West Tennessee | 7a, 7b | Mar 25 - Apr 10 | Oct 20 - Nov 5 |
Beans (Green/Snap) Planting Schedule for Tennessee
East Tennessee (Zones 6a, 6b, 7a)
Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 25 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25
Middle Tennessee (Zones 6b, 7a)
Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 15 - Nov 1
West Tennessee (Zones 7a, 7b)
Average last frost: Mar 25 - Apr 10 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 5
Growing Beans (Green/Snap) in Tennessee
Beans (Green/Snap) in Tennessee's Climate
Beans grow fast in warm climates, but extreme heat above 95°F causes blossom drop. Time spring plantings to harvest before July's worst heat, or plant a fall crop in August. Southern peas (black-eyed peas, crowder peas) are technically beans and handle your summer heat far better than snap beans — grow them when regular beans struggle.
Soil Considerations for Tennessee
Clay soils over limestone in Middle Tennessee. Rich river bottom soils in west. Rocky mountain soils in east. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 60°F before planting beans (green/snap) outside.
Tennessee Climate & Growing Season
Mild four-season climate. Hot, humid summers. Adequate rainfall. Good growing season for wide variety of crops. 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 Tennessee: East Tennessee (6a, 6b, 7a) has a last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 25, while West Tennessee (7a, 7b) sees frost end around Mar 25 - Apr 10. 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:
Keep beans (green/snap) away from:
The Bottom Line
Last reviewed: March 29, 2026