# How to Grow Beans
Things You'll Need
- Bean Seeds
- Bow Rakes
- Bypass Pruners
- Compost Makers
- Fertilizers
- Garden Shears
- Garden Spades
- Garden Stakes
- Garden Trowels
- Hoes
- Mulch
- Plants
- Shovels
- Watering Cans
Instructions
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1
Choose a site in full sun (partial afternoon shade in very hot climates) that has well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
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2
Add organic matter that is high in phosphorus and potassium rather than nitrogen. Beans, such as peas, capture nitrogen from the air.
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3
Sow seeds outdoors after all threat of frost has passed and the soil temperature has reached at least 55 degrees F. Seeds should be an inch deep and two to three inches apart in rows three to four feet apart.
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4
Install supports for pole beans when you plant the seeds so you won't have to disturb roots later on.
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5
Thin when the seedlings emerge so that bush varieties are five to six inches apart, pole beans six to eight inches. In humid climates, increase the distance between plants to allow good air circulation.
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6
Make sure beans get about an inch of water a week, a little more when pods are developing. Don't overwater, though - too much water causes more damage than too little.
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7
Mulch with compost when plants have developed their second set of leaves, and give them a feeding or two of compost tea to promote heavy yields.
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8
Pick snap beans when they're young and tender, before you notice the seeds swelling. Harvest shell beans when the pods are plump but before they start turning brown. Leave dry beans on the plant until the seeds are hard and the pods dry.
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9
Compost plants or till them under when they've stopped producing pods; you'll avoid attracting bean beetles and other unwanted multilegged critters.
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