Would a Bean Plant Grow in Sand?

Types

• Beans grow on bush plants and vining or pole-type plants. Sandy, loamy soil supports edible cultivars such as lima, snap beans, wax and cowpeas. Prone to fungus and mold diseases, bean plants benefit from the water-draining properties of sand.

Planting

• Sprouting beans need friable or loose soil for seedling emergence. Plant bean seeds 1 inch deep in heavy soils; plant them 1-1/2 inches deep in sandy soil. Roots spread more easily in sand than in compacted soil.

Fertilizer

• Sand drains easily, and nutrients wash out in rain or irrigation. Apply a side-dressing of fertilizer after heavy rain or irrigation. Add nitrogen by applying one cup of ammonium nitrate per 50 feet of bean plants. Repeat if bean foliage turns yellow or plants lose vigor. Keep fertilizer off of foliage.