Green beans, also known as string beans or snap beans, are an annual vegetable. They are easy to grow and care for. They do not need much space to grow, nor special conditions.
When grown in the right conditions, these beans are delicious to eat fresh from the vine. They can also be steamed, blanched, sauteed, or roasted and added to soups, curries, and salads. If you are wondering how to grow green beans, here is everything you need to know.
The following steps and information provide detailed instructions on how to plant green beans.
When to Plant Green Beans
The best time to plant green beans depends on the climate. If you are in a warm area, green bean seeds are best sown outdoors in late spring or early summer, after the last spring frost date. During this season, the soil temperature is about 60°F, ideal for growing green beans.
Do not plant too early when the soil is still cold, as it will delay germination and could cause the seeds to rot. If you want to get a head start on planting, cover your soil with black plastic or landscaping fabric to warm the soil. Avoid starting your green bean seeds indoors, as they may not survive transplanting.
Where to Plant Green Beans
The location of your green bean plant can affect its growth. Therefore, you should carefully select a site ideal for the plant. Green beans should be grown in locations where they can receive 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. This will ensure optimal growth and pod production. The soil should also be well-draining with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0 to 7.0).
If you are growing bush beans, a small space is enough, like containers, raised beds, or a small vegetable garden. However, pole beans require more space, so you might need an appropriately sized space. Ensure you use a support to keep them off the ground.
How to Grow Green Beans
You can directly sow your green bean seeds in the soil or start indoors.
Direct Sowing
Before sowing the seeds, prepare your soil. Ensure it is well-draining and loamy. The temperature should be about 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sow bush beans 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart. Ensure the soil is loosely packed, as the seedlings cannot push through tightly packed soil.
For a continued harvest, sow seeds every two weeks.
For the pole beans, you need to prepare support before sowing. One option is to create a teepee.
Tie four 7-foot-long bamboo poles or long, straight branches together at the top and spread the legs in a circle.
Sow three or four seeds 1-inch deep around each pole.
When the vines appear, train them to wind up the poles.
Tie one end of the twine to the base of one of the poles. Wrap the twine loosely around each pole in a spiral pattern, moving upwards.
Leave about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) of space between each turn of the twine to allow the bean vines to climb.
Secure the end of the twine at the top of the teepee by tying it to the pole or looping it around itself and tightening it
Indoor Pots
You can also start your green beans indoors.
Sow seeds in a potting mix kept at a temperature between 60° and 85° Fahrenheit for a few weeks before transplanting outdoors.
They will germinate in 5 to 10 days.
Keep the seedlings under grow lights so they do not get leggy.
Before transferring outside, prepare seedlings for the sun and wind by hardening them off.
Put the seedlings out for a half hour on the first day and increase the time spent outdoors each day for a week to 10 days.
After ten days, your plants are ready for the outdoors.
Transfer seedlings outdoors once the soil reaches 70°F.
Green beans are easy to care for and do not require much for optimal growth if they are grown in the right conditions.
Light
Green beans need plenty of sunlight for optimal growth and pod production. They require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. This ensures they receive enough light for growth and development.
They can survive in partial sunlight but may become leggy and experience stunted growth, fewer flowers and pods, and lower overall yield. But if the weather is too warm, afternoon shade might be beneficial to prevent scorching. You can also use row covers to protect the plants.
The light requirement may vary between varieties so check the information on the seed packet for instructions.
Soil
Green beans thrive in fertile, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic with a pH of around 6.0. You can test your soil pH using a soil test kit and adjust it if necessary. If the garden soil is poor, amend it with compost or other organic material.
Green beans feed on nitrogen in the air and can flourish on normal, rich soil without fertilization. However, pole beans may require fertilization if they produce crops throughout the growing season.
Water
Green beans have shallow roots. Therefore, they need to be watered regularly, especially during the growing season. They require approximately 1 to 2 inches of water per week or more when it is too hot during summer.
You can also look for signs of thirst, like wilting leaves, drooping plants, and dry soil. If you notice these signs, water your plants
Do not apply water overhead, as this will wet the leaves and cause diseases. Consider using soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems set on automatic timers to provide the plants with a steady water supply.
Temperature and Humidity
Green beans are a warm-weather crop. They should be planted in soil with a temperature that reaches at least 55°F.
They thrive in temperatures of 65°F to 85°F. These beans can tolerate cooler temperatures around 50°F but may experience stunted growth or produce lower-quality pods.
Additionally, they cannot stand extremely hot temperatures as well. Temperatures exceeding 90°F for extended periods might cause flower and pod drop, reducing yields.
Green beans prefer moderate humidity levels between 40 to 60%. Anything above this range can increase the risk of fungal diseases like powdery mildew, and anything below can stress the plant and result in wilting and slow growth.
Fertilizer
Green beans do not need fertilizers unless their plants appear weak, stunted, or have pale foliage. In such cases, apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer monthly during the growing season after heavy bloom.
If you are applying liquid or granular fertilizer, keep it at least 2 inches away from the base of the plant and follow the package instructions. Alternatively, you could use composted manure halfway through the growing season.
Green beans are susceptible to pest infestations. These are some of the pests that could affect your green bean plants.
Pests
Aphids
Aphids can cause severe damage if they are not treated on time. These soft-bodied insects suck on the leaves and stems of the plants. They excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and other insects, further exacerbating the problem. They are usually hiding in the underside of the leaves.
Therefore, you should be on the lookout for these insects. One of the simplest ways to get rid of aphids is to blast them off with a sharp stream of water from a garden hose. You can also apply neem oil or homemade soap solutions.
Mexican Beetle
The Mexican bean beetle is closely related to the lady beetle and is one of the most common pests affecting the bean plant. It is an oval, yellow, and black spotted beetle with yellow larvae and spines all over their bodies.
These beetles lay yellow egg clusters on the underside of the bean leaves. Both adults and larvae eat away at the plant’s tissue. They cause the upper surface of the leaves to appear as transparent window panes.
If infestation is not as severe, you can remove them by hand and drop them in soapy water to kill them. You can also plant green beans with strongly scented herbs like dill to prevent these pests from feeding on the leaves or try neem oil. Once established, they are hard to control, so regularly inspect your plants.
Leafhoppers
Leafhoppers are wedge-shaped, 3mm long pesky insects that come in green, yellow, brown, black, and gray color. They thrive in warm weather and damage bean foliage by feeding on the sap of green bean plants and spreading diseases in the process.
The damage appears as small, white, or yellow spots on the leaves, wilted leaves that eventually fall off, stunted plant growth, and reduced bean production.
Diseases
Apart from pests, green beans may contract diseases like the ones mentioned below.
Bacterial Blight
Bacterial blights are a group of bacterial diseases and a major problem for green bean growers. It causes spots on leaves that eventually fall off and dark, raised lesions on the stems that later split. Bean pods develop water-soaked spots that become sunken and tan.
To prevent this disease, purchase disease-free seeds, avoid overhead watering, and rotate your crops. But if your crop is already infested, you could use fungicide. It is nearly impossible to manage the symptoms once infested. Therefore, it is more effective to prevent blight in the first place.
Bean Mosaic Virus
Bean mosaic virus (BMV) is a common viral disease that causes stunted growth, distorted leaves, and reduces overall yield. The most obvious symptom is a mosaic pattern on the leaves with a patchwork of light and dark green areas. The leaves also appear puckered, wrinkled, and distorted in shape.
In severe cases, this virus can significantly reduce your harvest. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this virus. One can only prevent it by planting certified disease-resistant varieties, using virus-free seeds, and destroying any infected plants to prevent further virus spread.
Bean rust
Bean rust is the most common fungal disease of beans. It causes raised, orange, or brown pustules on the undersides of leaves that turn yellow and drop off. This rust could be caused by overhead watering, so stop that immediately.
Additionally, do not touch the foliage or harvest the pods when the leaves are wet to reduce the spread. Once harvest is over, remove and destroy infected plants so the spores do not overwinter and return next season.
Types of Green Beans Plant
There are many varieties of green beans plant, all of which fall under two main categories based on their growing habit: bush beans and pole beans.
Bush Beans
Bush beans are fast, easy-growing varieties that grow on compact, bushy plants. They do not require much space to grow and can reach 12 to 24 inches tall. They also do not need extra support from a structure like a trellis to thrive.
Bush beans generally require less maintenance and are easier to grow because they are smaller. These beans yield fewer beans over a shorter period.
Therefore, they might need to be planted every two weeks during the growing season. Once the seeds are sown, they are ready to harvest within 50 to 60 days, depending on the variety. Some common varieties of bush beans include:
String/Snap beans: String beans are the most common type of green bean. They have long, round pods that "snap" when broken. They have a crisp texture and mild flavor.
Haricots Verts/French Filet Beans: French filet beans are pencil-thin, delicate green beans with a slightly sweet flavor and firm texture. They are a staple in French cuisine and are often enjoyed whole.
Roma Beans: Roma beans are broad, flat beans with a nutty and slightly sweeter flavor than regular green beans. They are often used in Italian dishes
Pole beans
Pole beans grow as climbing vines that need to be grown up a trellis, teepee, or bamboo support. They can grow eight to ten feet tall and are great for larger gardens.
Pole beans are ready to harvest within 60-70 days of planting. They take longer than bush beans because their vines need time to develop. Pole beans produce beans for a longer period than bush beans with regular harvesting. Here are some common varieties of pole beans.
Kentucky Wonder Beans: Kentucky beans are long, slender beans with a strong flavor. They are heavy, dense, and require some long, slow cooking. You can eat them fresh or dried.
Scarlet Runner beans: Scarlet runner beans are more ornamental than culinary. They are large red beans with a flat pod. The beans are edible when young and tender.
Yardlong Beans: Yardlong beans, also known as black-eyed peas, are long, slender beans that can grow up to 2 feet (61 cm). They taste more like asparagus than beans or peas.
