Beans come in countless varieties, from pole or bush to snap, dry or shelling. Pole beans grow long vines that climb up supports, often producing more pods than the shorter, space-saving bush varieties. Snap, or green, beans provide tender fresh pods, while dry beans are perfect for storing. Regardless of the variety, all beans require warm weather to grow and produce. Plant your bean garden once the soil temperature reaches 65 degrees Fahrenheit and frost danger passes in your area to ensure healthy and productive plants.
Remove all weeds and debris from a full-sun garden bed. Cover it with a 2-inch layer of aged compost. Turn the compost into the top 6 inches of the soil with a spade. Rake the surface to smooth the soil.
Erect a trellis or support system if you are growing pole bean varieties. Push a 6-foot tall stake into each end of the planting row. Stretch bean netting between the stakes and tie it in place with cloth ties. You can substitute any type of trellis or support if it's 5 to 6 feet tall.
Sow the bean seeds 1 inch deep. Place the row at the base of your support, if applicable. Space pole beans 4 to 6 inches apart with rows 3 feet apart. Space bush beans 3 to 4 inches apart in 2-foot wide rows.
Water the soil thoroughly after planting so it feels moist to a 6-inch depth. Water as necessary to maintain the soil moisture until the seeds sprout, which typically takes seven days. Once beans germinate, they require approximately 1 inch of moisture per week.
Things You Will Need
- 6-foot stakes
- Bean netting
- Cloth ties
- Beans don't require fertilization after planting. You can spread a thin layer of compost around the beds to provide extra nutrition mid-growing season, if desired.
- Harvest times vary depending on the bean variety. Pick snap beans when the pods are long and tender, but pick dry beans after the seeds are fully formed and the pods are brittle and dry.
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