How to Take Care of a Bean Plant

Instructions

• 1

  Water bean plants at least once or twice a week to keep healthy, especially when the plant is flowering. If the soil dries out while the plant is flowering the crop will be impacted negatively. The roots of bean plants sit near the surface of the soil, thus requiring frequent watering.

• 2

  Spread mulch around bean plants. The mulch will help retain moisture in the soil, keeping bean plants well-hydrated.

• 3

  Place six- to eight-foot stakes or poles in the ground as support for pole beans. Several seeds can be sown around each stake, and the vines from the bean plant will grow and twine around the support. Check frequently on the plants to ensure they are growing up and around the stakes.

• 4

  Fertilize bean plants once they have begun to flower. Fertilizer will help increase the number of beans a plant produces. Plants should be watered after they have been fertilized and fertilizer should be sprinkled in between rows of plants.

• 5

  Pick beans immediately once they are mature. According to the Department of Horticultural Services at Texas A&M University, beans can be picked when they are the size of a small pencil. Beans should be picked frequently, as it encourages increased production.