Planting Guides

When to Plant Green Beans in Anchorage: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 4b

Last updated: October 30, 2025

Plant green beans in Anchorage after May 19 when frost danger ends. Provider and Roma II mature fastest at 50-60 days for Zone 4b's short 118-day season.

TTom Erikson

October 30, 2025

Green bean plants growing successfully in Anchorage Alaska garden with mountains in background — — Image © PlantReference.org 2026

Quick Answer

Plant green beans in Anchorage after May 19 using fast-maturing varieties like Provider. Choose 50-60 day varieties only for the short 118-day season.

TL;DR

Anchorage's Zone 4b climate requires strategic bean variety selection. Plant after May 19 when frost danger ends. Provider (50-55 days) and Roma II (53-60 days) are your best bets for Alaska's short 118-day growing season. Skip Kentucky Wonder—it needs 70 days and won't finish before September 14 frost. Start with bush varieties, plant in raised beds for warmth, and harvest continuously to maximize your limited growing window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start green beans indoors to get a head start in Anchorage?

Starting beans indoors isn't recommended for Anchorage gardens. Bean plants develop a fragile taproot that breaks easily during transplanting, causing severe transplant shock. The stress often delays harvest more than direct sowing, eliminating any advantage. If you must start indoors, use biodegradable peat pots and transplant the entire pot to minimize root disturbance. Start only 2 weeks before outdoor planting date (around May 10) and choose Provider for best transplant tolerance.

What's the latest I can plant green beans in Anchorage and still get a harvest?

July 1 is your absolute deadline for planting beans in Anchorage. Only the fastest-maturing varieties like Provider (50-55 days) will finish before the September 14 average first frost. This gives you a September 1-5 harvest window with 10-14 days of safety margin. Later plantings are gambling with weather. Focus on earlier plantings (May 25-June 15) for reliable harvests rather than pushing the season's end.

Which green bean varieties should I avoid in Anchorage's short season?

Avoid Kentucky Wonder and any variety requiring more than 60 days to maturity. Kentucky Wonder needs 60-70 days, which barely fits Anchorage's 118-day season and leaves no room for weather delays. Late-maturing pole beans, long-season heirlooms, and dual-purpose varieties grown for dry beans are poor choices. Stick to bush varieties under 60 days: Provider, Roma II, Purple Queen, and Blue Lake bush types for guaranteed success.

How do I protect green beans from Anchorage's unpredictable late spring weather?

Use row covers and black plastic mulch for protection and heat accumulation. Install wire hoops over rows and drape lightweight spun fabric covers for the first 3-4 weeks after planting. This adds 5-10°F protection and extends your effective season. Remove covers when flowers appear to allow pollination. Black plastic mulch warms soil and should stay in place all season. For early plantings, consider Wall of Water protectors around individual plants.

Can I grow pole beans successfully in Anchorage, or should I stick to bush varieties?

Bush varieties are strongly recommended for Anchorage's Zone 4b climate. While pole beans like Kentucky Wonder produce more per plant, they need 60-70 days and continuous warm weather. Bush varieties like Provider (50-55 days) give you harvest certainty and allow for succession planting. If you want to try pole beans, choose early varieties, plant by May 25, and use season extension techniques. The vertical growing advantage matters less when your total season is only 118 days.

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Written By

Tom Erikson

Tom is a lifelong Alaskan who gardens in Anchorage, where the growing season is short but intense. He works for the state cooperative extension service and has spent years figuring out what works in a climate where the ground freezes deep, the growing season starts in late May, and you get 19 hours of daylight in June. Tom grows cold-hardy vegetables, maintains a collection of boreal-adapted perennials, and experiments with season extension using cold frames and row covers. He writes about the realities of northern gardening—the unique advantages (those long summer days produce remarkable growth) and the genuine limitations. Tom's tone is calm and practical, with the quiet humor of someone who's gardened through Alaskan winters for decades.