Things Required for a Healthy Green Bean Plant

Soil

• Beans thrive in loam soils with a bit of silt or clay; avoid sandy soils. The pH should be neutral to slightly acidic, with an ideal range between 6.0 and 7.0. Like most vegetables, high organic content is good for growth, so add manure or other fertilizer to the soil.

Water and Sunlight

• Beans need lots of water. If you live in a rainy climate or have particularly water-retentive soil, additional watering may not be needed. Otherwise, water at least once a week and thoroughly soak the soil to 1 inch deep. The soil itself should be well drained; pools of collected water can harm the roots. Also, be sure to plant your beans in a location that sees ample sunlight.

Support

• Green beans are available in pole or bush varieties. Usually, no support is needed for bush beans, but pole varieties need a trellis or similar structure. You can buy a trellis, or make one yourself from poles and twine. Erect the structure immediately after planting the beans.