Information on Bean Seeds

Planting

• Bean seeds are very susceptible to frost. Do not plant them until the frost danger is long gone and the soil temperature is above 62 F. They grow best in high amounts of sunlight and very rich soil, with a pH of anywhere between 5.8 and 7.0. Plant seeds about 1 to 1.5 inches apart. Rows should be about 24 inches apart.

General Care

• Do not soak bean seeds immediately before planting or water immediately after. When the moisture content of the soil is too high, most bean seed casings will crack and germinate poorly. A little while after the beans have been planted, soak them with overhead sprinklers. Cultivate frequently and shallowly to remove small weeds until flowers appear. Be careful not to injure the roots; beans are shallow-rooted.

Harvesting

• Harvesting time depends on the seed variety. Green and wax beans should be harvested when the pods are firm and crisp, but before the seeds inside have significantly developed, and when dry of dew. Lima beans should be harvested when the pods are firm and plump, preferably while young, or they will dry. Horticulture beans should be harvested when the pods start to turn yellow.

Common Problems

• Common problems affecting bean seeds can be divided into three categories: diseases, insects and cultural. Disease can be avoided by working with disease-free western seed and not with wet plants, as well as by removing any debris from the garden. Insecticides can keep most pests away from the bean plants. Overfertilization can be prevented by using high nitrogen soil that will reduce the pod set and yield.

Storage

• Beans can be preserved through drying, freezing or canning. Snap beans should be harvested for storage when the pods are still tender, before the seeds start to bulge inside the pods. Lima and dry beans will have bright green pods with spongy ends.