When to Plant Beans in Colorado Springs, CO
Published: April 24, 2026
Bean Planting Dates for Colorado Springs, CO
| Start seeds indoors | Year-round |
| Last frost (average) | March 22 |
| Direct sow outdoors | March 29–April 8 |
| Minimum soil temperature | 60°F |
| Expect first harvest | May 18 – June 2 |
| Fall crop planting | September 1–11 |
| Fall crop harvest | October 21 |
| First fall frost (average) | November 10 |
⚠ Direct sow beans after last frost when soil reaches 60°F. Never start indoors — beans resent transplanting. Succession plant every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest.
Best Bean Varieties for Colorado Springs, CO
Consult a Colorado Springs-area nursery or your state extension office for bean varieties proven in Zone 6b.
Growing Beans in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs sits in Zone 6b, with an average last frost of March 22 and first fall frost around November 10 — giving a 233-day frost-free growing season. Warm-season crops like bean need soil at 60°F or above before transplanting; Colorado Springs's frost calendar puts that window clearly in the late-spring to early-fall range.
Colorado Springs's moderate climate supports bean on the standard transplant calendar with minimal special accommodation. Succession planting — sowing fresh seeds or setting new transplants every 2–3 weeks through spring — stretches the harvest window and gives you a backup crop if pests hit the first planting.
Colorado Springs's well-draining loam soils are among the best for bean growing — focus on annual organic matter additions (2 to 3 inches of compost) and consistent moisture during drier months. Water bean at 1 inches per week; loam holds moisture evenly without the drought-crack cycle of heavy clay or the rapid-drain losses of pure sand.
Bean Calendar for Colorado Springs
| Month | Task |
|---|---|
| Year | Start seeds indoors under grow lights |
| March | Direct sow seeds into warm soil |
| May | Expect first harvest window to open |
| September | Start fall crop — transplants or direct sow |
| November | First fall frost — harvest remaining, end of outdoor season |
Bean Tips for Colorado Springs Gardeners
- •Inoculate bean seeds with rhizobium bacteria before planting in new garden soil — boosts nitrogen fixation and yields.
- •Plant bush beans every 2–3 weeks through midsummer for a continuous harvest from July to first frost.
- •Succession plant bean in Colorado Springs every 2–3 weeks through spring to extend the harvest window into summer.
Common Bean Pests in Colorado Springs
- •Mexican Bean Beetle — peaks July in Zone 6b (active May–September); yellow beetles that skeletonize leaves; handpick eggs on leaf undersides.
- •Aphid — peaks July in Zone 6b (active May–September); monitor closely during peak season and treat early.
- •Bean Rust — peaks July in Zone 6b (active May–September); monitor closely during peak season and treat early.
Check plants every 2–3 days during peak season — early intervention prevents most infestations from becoming serious.
What to Plant with Beans in Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs's moderate climate, Corn and Cucumber are the most beneficial plants to grow alongside bean. Corn provides vertical support for climbing companions in the Three Sisters planting. Keep bean away from Onion — it inhibits bean and pea growth through sulfur-compound allelopathy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant bean in Colorado Springs, CO?
In Colorado Springs (Zone 6b), direct sow bean around March 29–April 8. Soil must be at 60°F or warmer at 2-inch depth before sowing — cold soil rots the seeds.
What zone is Colorado Springs, CO for bean growing?
Colorado Springs is USDA Zone 6b. For bean, this means a frost-free growing season of roughly 33 weeks running from March 22 to November 10. This is a comfortable window for warm-season crops like bean — standard varieties work well.
When is bean harvest season in Colorado Springs?
Expect the first bean harvest in Colorado Springs around May 18, with harvest continuing through June 2. This is based on 50–65 days from transplant or direct sow. A fall crop planted September 1–11 adds a second harvest around October 21.
How long does it take to grow bean in Colorado Springs, CO?
From transplant or direct sow to first harvest, bean takes 50–65 days in Colorado Springs's climate. Based on a typical planting date of March 29–April 8, expect your first harvest around May 18. Colorado Springs's Zone 6b transition-zone climate produces maturity times right in the middle of the stated range.
What soil does bean need in Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs's loam soil is near-ideal for bean. Work in 2–3 inches of compost before planting to boost organic matter and nutrient content. Minimal amendment is needed beyond that — loam holds moisture evenly without the drought-crack cycle of clay or the nutrient-loss issues of sandy soil.