Anyone looking to grow an organic garden has to know how to plant green bean seeds. They are a versatile crop that can be grown in several different ways.
They are easy to grow and don’t require a lot of space. To plant green bean seeds in your garden, you will need first to select a spot that gets plenty of sunlight.
The soil should be rich in nutrients and well-drained. You can either plant the seeds directly into the ground or start them in pots first.
It is a popular element in the gardening industry. This is a process that can take between four to six weeks. The method of planting green bean seeds is the same, but plant growth requires a lot of care.
This blog will look at the steps to planting bean seeds and some of the challenges you may experience.
How to Plant Green Bean Seeds in your Garden
Green bean plants can be grown in two ways: bush or pole. Pole beans grow in ascending vines, whereas bush beans grow compactly. Pole and bush beans require somewhat similar growing conditions.
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Sow Green Bean Seeds Directly
Instead of starting the growth process indoors, sow green bean seeds straight into your soil. Bean plants have delicate roots, making transplanting them challenging.
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Check the Soil Temperature
To avoid slow germination or rot, ensure the soil temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit before putting green bean seeds. Green beans are a warm-weather crop that yields the most when temperatures are between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Support the Pole Beans
You’ll need to build a trellis or a teepee to support pole beans as they develop before you plant them. Gather at least three long branches or wooden poles that are roughly six to seven feet tall, tie them together at the top, and splay the supports’ bottoms in a circle for the teepee approach.
Begin twisting the vines up the poles as they emerge. The plant will be trained to continue winding throughout the growing season with this strategy.
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Provide enough space for Bush Bean Seeds
Plant bush bean seeds one to one and a half-inch deep and three inches apart, with bean rows spaced 18 inches apart. Plant three or four seeds around each of the poles, four to eight inches apart, in rows two to three feet apart, if you’re planting pole beans.
Maintenance and Care in Growing Green Beans
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Keep soil pH balanced.
Green beans thrive in acidic soil with a pH of around 6.0. Because green beans fix their nitrogen, a regular, rich soil can aid in producing high-quality plants without the need for fertilizer. (However, if pole beans consistently have healthy and well-formed crops, they may require supplementary compost halfway through the growing season.)
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Provide them Access to Direct Sunlight
Green bean plants require six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive. Ensure that your plants receive plenty of direct sunlight to help them grow well. High temperatures can cause your green bean plants’ flowers to fall off, so use row covers to protect your plants from the sun to have an abundant harvest soon.
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Green Beans need to be adequately watered.
Beans require well-drained soil to avoid rotting or powdery mildew. Water your bean plants once a week with around two inches of water. To keep your plants nourished, directly apply water to the soil.
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Mulch to keep the ground warm
The temperature of your soil should be at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and it should be moist. Mulching can help keep your soil from drying out while also keeping the earth warm.
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Fertilizing
Beans thrive when the soil is well-fertilized. Use 2 to 3 pounds of fertilizer, such as 10-20-10, for a 10 foot long by 10-foot wide area. Mix the fertilizer with the top 3 to 4 inches of soil after spreading it evenly across the area.
Pest and Disease
One of the most challenging aspects of growing green beans is preventing pests from eating them before you have a chance to harvest them. Deer and rabbits will eat plants at any time during the season if they are left vulnerable.
Consider erecting a fence or using garden cloches, small cages that protect seedlings and small plants from pests and frost damage.
Water plants first thing in the morning to avoid mold formation. Wet leaves and the chill of the night are a horrible mix, creating exceptional circumstances for developing a variety of ailments.
Mexican bean bugs, slugs, caterpillars, and aphids should all be avoided. Pick any of these insects up or blast them with the water as soon as you see them.
Green beans are self-pollinating, so keep that in mind. So, up until harvest, you can grow them under the shelter of a floating row cover, which is excellent garden pest control. However, if there isn’t adequate air circulation, you may encourage certain diseases.
In general, healthy plants are less susceptible to insects and illnesses. So, take your time cultivating your plants, and you should have a lot of luck!
How to Harvest Green Beans
Bush beans can be harvested in 50–55 days, but pole beans can take up to 60 days to mature. When the bean pods are four to six inches long and slightly firm, the same as the size of a little pencil, and the beans haven’t protruded through the skin, they’re ready to harvest.
Pull the beans gently away from the plant, being careful not to tear the flowers and avoid injuring the plant. Beans that are past their prime are rough and stringy.
The plants will continue to produce for several weeks if beans are picked when ready. Harvesting frequently encourages sprouting.
Best Green Beans To Grow in your Garden
For Bush Beans:
Mascotte
This gourmet green bean is an award-winning and fast-growing variety. The small plants produce a huge crop of ultra-slender green pods that grow on top of the leaves, making harvesting a breeze! Plants 16 inches tall can be grown in beds, but they also thrive in pots and window boxes.
Provider
The provider is a famous green bean that grows well in cold soil, allowing northern gardeners to start spring planting. The plants are resistant to various diseases, including powdery mildew, and the smooth pods are about 5 inches long.
Contender
Contender is a high-yielding variety that also happens to be one of the first to ripen. Each plant produces hundreds of spherical, slightly curved pods.
For Pole Beans:
Emerite
This green bean is soft and tasty, and it will quickly become a favorite. Although it is an early variety, the quality of the pods makes it a must-grow. The inside beans grow slowly, so the pods are crisp and delicious no matter when they’re harvested – when they’re only 4 inches long or an adult 8 inches long.
Fortex
This French-style pole bean is extremely productive, producing stringless, slender green pods that can reach a length of 10 inches! I usually start picking the beans when they’re 5 to 6 inches long, but they’re still good to eat when they’re 10 inches long. When eaten raw or cooked, you can expect excellent flavor.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, planting green bean seeds is a relatively easy process that anyone can do with access to a garden. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your green beans will grow and produce delicious, nutritious vegetables, and you’ll have less to worry about when it comes to gardening!
Reference:
Bean Seed Image from The Home Depot
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