Complete Guide to Growing Beans in Your Garden

Beans are a staple crop in our backyard garden and we are constantly experimenting with different varieties and growing techniques. Beans come in a staggering array of sizes and growing styles from small and compact bush beans to lengthy and sprawling pole beans. In this guide we’ll explore and share everything we know about growing beans in your garden.

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Contents

Quick Guide to Growing Beans

Quick Fact: Beans are a warm-season vegetable, known for their versatile pods, which grow in clusters on vines or bushes. They belong to the legume family and are excellent for enriching the soil with nitrogen.

Best Time to Plant: Beans are typically planted in late spring after the danger of frost has passed. They thrive in warm weather, so wait until soil temperatures are at least 60°F (15°C) before planting.

Soil pH: Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Beans grow best in slightly acidic to neutral soil.

Soil Type: Beans prefer well-draining, loamy soil that’s rich in organic matter. Avoid overly rich soils or excessive nitrogen, as it can promote leafy growth instead of beans.

Sunlight: Beans require full sun, meaning they need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but avoid overwatering. Water deeply, especially during flowering and pod development, to prevent drought stress and maximize yield.

Fertilizing: Beans generally don’t need heavy fertilizing, as they fix their own nitrogen in the soil. However, you can amend the soil with compost before planting for an added nutrient boost.

Plant Spacing: Space bean plants 2-4 inches apart in rows that are 18-24 inches apart. For pole beans, provide a trellis or other support to allow them to climb and ensure proper air circulation.

Common Pests: Watch out for common pests like aphids, bean beetles, and slugs. Use row covers, hand-picking, or organic pest control methods as necessary to protect your crop.

Companion Plants: Beans grow well alongside crops like corn, cucumbers, and carrots, which can help improve soil and deter pests.

Harvest Time: Beans are ready to harvest 50-70 days after planting, depending on the variety. Pick green beans when the pods are firm and crisp, but before the seeds inside mature. Regular harvesting encourages the plants to produce more beans.

Best Bean Varieties

Below are some of our favorite bean varieties. Most garden centers carry a number of varieties of beans but you can also look online at places like Johnny’s Seeds.

Bush Beans

Blue Lake Bush: Renowned for its tender and flavorful pods, Blue Lake Bush beans are a favorite among home gardeners for their high yields and suitability for canning or freezing.
Provider: Known for their reliability and adaptability, Provider beans yield crisp, tender pods that are perfect for fresh consumption or preservation.
Bush Romano: Featuring a unique, flat pod with rich flavor, Bush Romano beans are ideal for those who appreciate a more robust, Italian-style bean.
Maxibel: Maxibel beans are characterized by their long, slender pods that stay tender even when mature, making them excellent for fresh use or cooking.
French Filet: Also called “haricots verts,” French Filet beans are prized for their delicate flavor and tender texture, making them perfect for gourmet dishes and quick meals.

Pole Beans

Kentucky Wonder: A top choice for vertical gardening, Kentucky Wonder beans are known for their prolific yields of stringless, tender beans and tall vines.
Scarlet Runner: Scarlet Runner beans not only offer a slightly nutty flavor but also boast striking red flowers that attract pollinators, along with large, meaty beans.
Pole Romano: Producing broad, flat beans with a rich flavor, Pole Romano beans are ideal for those who have space for climbing vines and prefer a more substantial bean.
Dragon’s Tongue: Dragon’s Tongue beans are distinguished by their striking purple and yellow striped pods, offering a sweet, crisp flavor that’s both visually appealing and tasty.
Tennessee Purple Pod: Known for their deep purple pods that turn green when cooked, Tennessee Purple Pod beans are celebrated for their rich flavor and high productivity.

How to Grow Beans

When to Plant Beans

Beans like heat and should be planted in late spring after the last danger of frost has passed. They are generally very easy to grow from seeds so you don’t need to start them indoors and they will sprout quickly.

How to Plant Beans

Select a sunny location with well-draining, fertile soil to grow your beans. Start by planting in late spring after the risk of frost has passed by sowing the seeds 1 to 1.5 inches deep in rows spaced about 24 inches apart. If you’re planting in raised beds, you can reduce spacing to 18 inches depending on the variety (I generally follow the directions on the individual seed packets).

Once the seedlings reach a few inches in height, thin them to stand 2-4 inches apart for bush beans and 6-12 inches apart for pole beans, ensuring proper air circulation and room for growth. Beans need consistent moisture, so water regularly, mulch to retain soil moisture, and protect the plants from common pests like aphids and beetles.

You can also start seeds indoors and transplant seedlings once the weather warms up but I’ve found this a waste of time as they germinate so well outside.

Bean Care and Maintenance

To care for your beans, make sure that are watered consistently (but don’t waterlog the soil. You can mulch around plants to help maintain the moisture in the soil.

Regularly inspect your bean plants for common pests such as aphids, bean beetles, and slugs, which can damage the leaves and pods. For pole beans, consider providing a trellis or support to help the plants climb and ensure they remain upright. You may have to help your vines find their way up at the trellis just at the beginning.

As the plants grow, remove any yellowing or damaged leaves to improve air circulation and encourage healthy pod production. Proper spacing between plants is key, as overcrowding can reduce airflow and lead to smaller yields – especially if you are gardening where there is a lot of humidity.

Harvesting and Storing Beans

Harvest beans when the bean pods are firm and crisp. Pick the beans when they are young and tender, before the seeds inside fully develop. In general, you can begin from the base of the plant and work your way up, gently snapping or cutting the pods off. Regular harvesting encourages more bean production, so pick frequently to maximize your yield. Often I will get many weeks with a harvest from the same bean plants although you can succession plant your beans for an even longer harvest.

Harvest beans before your first frost. After harvesting, fresh beans can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, consider blanching and freezing them. To do this, briefly blanch the beans in boiling water, plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process, and freeze them in airtight containers or bags.

It’s also possible to dry your beans. Simply allow the pods to dry on the vine, then shell the beans and store them in a cool, dry place. Properly dried beans can last for several months.

Top Tips for Growing Beans

Below are my top tips for growing beans:

Choose the Right Location: Select a sunny spot with well-draining, fertile soil and a pH level between 6.0 and 7.5 for growing beans.
Timing Is Key: Plant beans in late spring after the last frost, once soil temperatures reach at least 60°F (15°C), as beans thrive in warm weather.
Proper Spacing: Sow bean seeds 1-1.5 inches deep, spacing bush bean plants 2-4 inches apart and pole bean plants 6-12 inches apart, with rows spaced 18-24 inches apart to ensure good airflow and growth.
Consistent Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during flowering and pod development.
Mulch for Moisture Retention: Apply mulch around the base of the plants to retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and prevent weeds from taking over.
Pest Management: Regularly inspect for common pests like aphids, bean beetles, and slugs, and use organic pest control methods as necessary to protect the crop.
Provide Support: For pole beans, provide trellises or stakes to help the plants climb and prevent them from tangling or toppling over.
Remove Yellowing Leaves: Remove any yellowing or damaged leaves to improve air circulation and encourage healthy pod development.
Harvest Gradually: Begin harvesting when the pods are firm and crisp, starting with the lowest pods and working your way up, to encourage continuous bean production.
Avoid Frost: Unlike some crops, beans are sensitive to frost, so be sure to harvest before the temperature drops too low.
Storage Options: Store fresh beans in the refrigerator for short-term use, or blanch and freeze them for long-term storage.
Patience Pays Off: Regular harvesting encourages more beans to grow, so be patient and enjoy a continuous harvest throughout the season.

Common Problems when Growing Beans

Here are some common bean problems and their solutions.

Aphids
Problem: Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that can infest bean plants, sucking sap from the leaves and causing distortion and curling.

Solution: Spray affected plants with a strong stream of water to dislodge aphids. Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs or lacewings to help control their population. If the infestation is severe, consider using neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Bean Beetles
Problem: Bean beetles can cause damage by feeding on the leaves and pods, leading to reduced yields.

Solution: Hand-pick beetles from the plants or use row covers to prevent them from laying eggs. In cases of heavy infestation, consider applying insecticides that are safe for beans.

Fungal Diseases
Problem: Beans can be susceptible to fungal diseases like powdery mildew and rust, which can damage leaves and pods, ultimately affecting yields.

Solution: Improve air circulation through proper spacing and pruning. Apply fungicides labeled for bean use if diseases persist, and ensure good sanitation practices to prevent the spread of fungal issues.

Yellowing Leaves
Problem: Yellowing leaves can indicate nutrient deficiencies, particularly nitrogen, or overwatering.

Solution: Maintain proper soil fertility with balanced fertilization. If yellowing is due to overwatering, adjust your watering schedule to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Root Rot
Problem: Root rot is often caused by excessive moisture in the soil, leading to wilting and stunted growth.

Solution: Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering. If root rot occurs, remove affected plants and avoid planting beans in the same spot for a season.

Harvesting Problems
Problem: Harvesting beans too late can result in over-mature, tough pods, while harvesting too early may yield small, underdeveloped beans.

Solution: Harvest beans when they are firm and plump, but before the pods start to dry out. For best flavor and texture, check pods regularly and taste-test to ensure they are tender and flavorful.

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