How to Grow String Beans

Choose a string bean seed variety. Bluelake string beans are a favorite because they are easy to grow, have a good flavor and give a good yield. However, after you’ve tried the bluelake seeds, you may want to get a bit more adventurous next year with the romanos or the purple kings.

Prepare the soil. Whether you prefer raised bed gardening or traditional direct ground planting, the soil needs to be worked with a garden hoe, rake or spade down 8 to 10 inches. All dirt clods should be broken up and any rocks or weeds need to be removed. These beans prefer a soil that is a bit on the sandy side, which gives them good drainage. If you have a clay-based soil, mix in compost. Compost can be purchased at your local nursery or garden center.

Choose a garden location that will give the string beans at least six hours of sunlight. Water frequently because string beans have a shallow root system.

Hoe out rows of soil 3 to 4 feet apart. Plant the string bean seeds approximately 1 inch deep and separated by about 3 feet. The string bean vines will need something to attach to while they grow. Now is the time to put stakes in the ground so as not to disturb the bean root system later. Single stakes can be erected or a teepee can be made from three stakes brought to a peak and tied at the top.

Plant in warm soil, about 65 degrees Fahrenheit, for the seed to sprout. Cold or too cool soil will keep your string bean seed from sprouting. Wait for at least a week after the last frost in your location to plant bean seeds. Plant a new row of string beans every 10 days to two weeks to create a longer harvest, until it gets too hot.

Harvest your string beans when they are about 4 to 6 inches long. However, this is a general rule and you should always consult your seed packet for proper harvesting for the particular variety you have chosen.