Will a Red Bean Grow Faster in Clay or Soil?

Maturity Dates

• Red beans grow according to their maturity dates, or the length of time between seeding and fruit production. While soil, water, fertilizer and sun encourage full, healthy growth, no consideration can make the plants grow faster than their natural schedule allows.

Season

• Beans are sensitive plants, and don't tolerate spring frosts or temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Purdue University's Department of Horticulture notes that temperatures below 50 degrees F lead to poor germination and seed rotting. Put kidney bean seeds or seedlings in the outdoor garden when nighttime temperatures reach 65 to 70 degrees F.

Soil Requirements

• Kidney bean bushes require adequately warm, dry soil for germination, and continue their specific soil requirements through the season. Purdue University's Department of Horticulture recommends fertile, crumbly and quick-draining soil for all bean plants, while the University of Minnesota Extension notes that clay soil gives beans better nutrition than sand. The University of Minnesota Extension goes on to say, though, that drainage becomes a problem with clay, and can restrict the bean plant's growth.

Amend Soil

• Beans grow best in loose, crumbly and nutritious soil, but they also thrive in amended clay or sand. If your garden features clay or sandy soil, amend the top 10 inches with 5 inches of organic compost or well-rotted manure. This mixture increased drainage and loosens clay, while adding nutrition to sand. Mix 5-10-10 granular fertilizer into all soil types to increase the starting nutrition for bean bushes.

Care

• Beans need consistent moisture and sunshine to grow and produce their fruit. Plant the seeds or seedlings in sites with plenty of space and full sunshine all day. Give beans 2 inches of water every week, and use organic mulch to keep the soil moist and healthy. Feed beans with 33-0-0 fertilizer at midseason, according to the manufacturer's directions, to encourage pod set.