How to Grow Bean Plants in Soil

Preparing to Plant

• 1

  Incorporate organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, into the soil where you intend to plant the beans, loosening the soil with a garden fork as you work. Organic matter improves drainage and helps the roots to penetrate into the soil.

• 2

  Apply 1 cup of 5-10-10 fertilizer per 50-foot row and mix it into the soil.

• 3

  Tie sets of two 6-foot stakes together with a pole resting across the top to form a basic trellis for pole beans. As an alternative, you can prop stakes or branches together to form a tepee shape. You do not need to provide extra support for bush beans.

Planting and Caring for Beans

• 4

  Plant the seeds once the soil has warmed to at least 50 degrees F and after the danger of frost has passed. Cold soil can cause the seeds to rot. Arrange two to four seeds at the base of each pole in the trellis, planting them 1 inch deep or according to instructions on the seed packet. For bush beans, plant the seeds 4 inches apart and 1 inch deep, or according to instructions on the seed packet.

• 5

  Spread 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch, such as grass clippings, hay or leaf litter.

• 6

  Provide enough water once per week to soak the soil to a depth of 1 inch, if you do not receive enough rainfall to accomplish this purpose. You may need to adjust the water you provide based on the soil type. Heavy, clay soils may require less water; if the soil is wet already, don't add more water. Sandy soils may require more frequent watering.

• 7

  Scrape the hoe along the soil surface to cut off weeds at the surface without damaging the bean plant's shallow roots. Frequent hoeing will eventually stop weeds from growing back from their roots.

• 8

  Continue planting new bush bean seeds every two to four weeks until August. This ensures a supply of beans throughout the season. Pole beans will continue to produce beans throughout the season.