Green Bean Planting Information

Planting Time Frame

• Green beans are a warm weather crop and are sensitive to frost. Plant them after all danger of frost is past and the soil has warmed. Plant additional bean plants every two to four weeks throughout the summer to provide a continuous supply.

Geography

• Beans prefer a sunny location with good drainage. A loose, fertile soil is best. Rotate bean crops, planting in a new location the second year to prevent transmission of soil diseases.

Fertilization

• Beans need fertile soil. A 1/2 cup of 5-10-10 or similar fertilizer per 25 feet of bean row mixed into the top 6 inches of soil before planting gives them a good start. Once the plants begin to flower, apply a side-dressing of ammonium nitrate 33-0-0 at the same rate. Apply the fertilizer beside the plants, avoiding getting it on the plants. Lightly water after fertilizing.

Planting Depth

• Plant green bean seeds 1-inch deep. Bush beans are planted 2- to 4-inches apart in rows 18 to 24-inches apart. Pole varieties need more room, approximately 6- to 10-inches apart in rows 3- to 4-feet apart. Pole beans also do well planted four to six seeds per hills spaced 30-inches apart.

Care

• Water green beans after planting and keep the soil moist, but not wet, until the seeds germinate. Pull weeds as they appear.

Staking Green Beans

• Pole beans naturally climb a stake or trellis. This keeps the beans off the ground, making them less susceptible to disease and easier to harvest. Create a tri-pod of three poles, 6 to 7 feet tall and tied together at the top. Use wood or bamboo stakes, the rough surface helps the plant hold onto the stake. Lift the bean plants onto the poles initially, they will naturally grasp the pole.

  Alternately, plant pole beans along a fence or create a trellis by suspending wires between posts. Run twine or rope between the wires to give the plants a surface to grasp.