How to Garden String Beans

Plant your beans in springtime after the frost lifts. String beans are sensitive to cold and will die in any late frosts. Most beans have a relatively quick maturity date of 50 to 65 days, so time your planting for at least three months before the first frost of fall to guarantee a bean harvest.

Find a site in the garden where the beans will get bright sunshine all day and also have quick drainage. Don't plant them in low-lying spots where puddles gather, as the beans die in standing water. Set aside at least 5 to 10 square feet of space for the bean patch.

Amend the soil to a depth of 5 to 6 inches. Dig the natural soil up and add 2 to 3 inches of organic compost for a rich, loose and airy foundation. Add 5-10-10 fertilizer per manufacturer directions, and mix it into the top 6 inches of soil for more starting nutrition.

Plant bean seeds 1 to 1 1/2 inch deep, at 2 to 4 inches for bush beans and 4 to 6 inches for pole beans. Leave 3 feet between rows for gardening space.

Spread 2 inches of organic mulch between the plantings, and on the 6 inches of soil surrounding each planting. The mulch will keep the soil warm and moist between waterings and keep weeds from growing up in the patch. Give pole beans veggie cages or stakes for support during growth.

Water each bean plant with 1 inch of water a week to maintain soil moisture for growth. Give the beans a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 in mid-season, per manufacturer directions.

Harvest string beans when pods form, or wait until you can see the outlines of the beans themselves in the pods. Use your cultivar's maturity dates to give you a rough harvesting time line.