How to Grow a Bean Plant

Prepare the soil in a sunny location that receives full sun for six to eight hours a day. Till to a depth of 6 to 8 inches and remove any rocks, roots or other plant debris.

Add any soil amendments like well-rotted manure, compost or fertilizer. If you are unsure of the needs of your soil, purchase an inexpensive soil test kit at your local hardware store and test you soil following the directions in the kit. Add the recommended amendments to your soil for optimum growth. Work it in well with the existing soil. Rake the area smooth with a garden rake and discard any large rocks. Vegetable plants require fine loose soil for good root development.

Plant beans in late spring after the danger of frost has passed. Plant to a depth of 2 inches, spaced 4 inches apart. If planting in rows, allow enough room between rows for easy access. Beans can be planted in rows 18 inches apart, but many prefer a distance of 2 ½ to 3 feet to allow for cultivating between the rows with a garden tiller. Beans planted in raised beds can be spaced 4 inches apart in all directions.

Water to moisten the soil. Keep the soil evenly moist to promote germination. Beans will sprout in four to 10 days, depending on the temperature of the soil. Beans prefer warm soil and the seed may rot if exposed to cold wet soil before germination.

Remove any weeds as soon as they emerge to prevent them from robbing your plants of moisture and nutrients. Take care not to disturb young bean roots when pulling weeds. Clip weeds to the ground if they grow too close to the base of the bean plant.

Water when the soil is dry. Beans are tolerant of dry soil and will do well without watering unless you suffer drought conditions.

Harvest in 50 to 60 days when young beans are slender. Allowing beans to mature makes them tough and reduces flavor. Watch beans carefully once they have bloomed, as young beans form and grow quickly.