Planting Guides

When to Plant Green Beans in Pittsburgh: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 6b

Last updated: October 30, 2025

Learn when to plant green beans in Pittsburgh with specific dates for Zone 6b. Compare 6 varieties, get a complete timeline, and discover which beans grow best in Pennsylvania.

LLinda Kowalski

October 30, 2025

Green bean plants growing in Pittsburgh Zone 6b garden with optimal spring planting timing — — Image © PlantReference.org 2026

Quick Answer

Plant green beans in Pittsburgh from May 15 through July 15 for best results. Bush varieties like Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' mature in 50-55 days, while pole beans produce continuously.

TL;DR

Pittsburgh's Zone 6b climate is perfect for green beans with planting from May 15 through July 15 for continuous harvests. Your 178-day growing season allows multiple succession plantings, with bush varieties ready in 50-60 days and pole beans producing for months. Plant Provider for quick crops, Kentucky Wonder for vertical growing, and Blue Lake for the best fresh eating quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start planting green beans in Pittsburgh?

Plant green beans in Pittsburgh starting May 15 when soil temperature reaches 60°F consistently. Pittsburgh's last frost date is April 25, but cold soil will rot bean seeds, so wait 2-3 weeks after the last frost for reliable germination. You can succession plant every 2 weeks through July 15 for continuous harvest throughout Pittsburgh's 178-day growing season.

What are the best green bean varieties for Zone 6b Pittsburgh gardens?

Provider is the top choice for Pittsburgh, maturing in just 50-55 days and perfect for succession planting. Blue Lake offers superior eating quality and handles Pittsburgh's moderate summer heat well. Kentucky Wonder pole beans work excellently for vertical growing in urban Pittsburgh gardens, producing continuously for months once established.

How many times can I plant green beans in a Pittsburgh growing season?

Pittsburgh's Zone 6b climate allows 4-5 succession plantings from May 15 through July 15. Plant bush varieties like Provider every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest. Your last planting should be July 15 to mature before the October 20 first frost. This gives you fresh beans from July through October.

Do green beans grow well in Pittsburgh's clay soil?

Green beans can grow in Pittsburgh's clay soil with proper preparation. Add 2-3 inches of compost annually to improve drainage, as beans hate waterlogged conditions. Plant seeds 1 inch deep in clay soil (deeper in amended soil) and consider covering the seed furrow with potting mix to prevent crusting after rain.

When do I harvest green beans in Pittsburgh?

Harvest bush beans when pods are firm and snap crisply, typically 50-65 days after planting in Pittsburgh. Pick every 2-3 days during peak harvest to keep plants producing. For spring plantings started May 15, expect harvest to begin around July 4th. Fall plantings started late July will produce fresh beans through September and early October.

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Tagged with

#green beans #pittsburgh gardening #zone 6b planting #pennsylvania vegetables #succession planting #bush beans #pole beans #vegetable gardening #when to plant #bean varieties

Written By

Linda Kowalski

Linda's been growing tomatoes in containers on her suburban Pittsburgh balcony—ever since her kids grew up and she finally had time for hobbies again. She's a medical billing specialist by day and a tomato enthusiast by night and weekend. Linda started documenting her container growing experiments on a simple blog and discovered other renters and condo dwellers were desperate for practical advice. She tests different varieties every season, tracking yields, disease resistance, and flavor in a detailed spreadsheet. Linda's approach is practical and budget-conscious—she saves seeds, reuses containers, and makes her own fertilizer from kitchen scraps. Her specialty is maximizing production in small spaces, and she's perfected the art of growing full-size tomatoes in 5-gallon buckets. She's a Pennsylvania Master Gardener and teaches container growing workshops at her local library.