Green beans were an absolute staple of the ancient Mediterranean and northern medieval diet but their ability to be stored dry made fresh beans a rare treat. Perhaps that is how we should view them, although when I was a child we used to dutifully wade through weeks of leathery, bitter beans the size of pebbles until we could, thankfully, pull up the plants. There is no need for this. Green beans are best eaten young, whilst they are still small and sweet, and will freeze very well in this youthful condition. If they do get large, they can be very successfully puréed. To ensure young beans you need to make two or more sowings so that the harvest is spread across the summer.
Family | Fabaceae |
Growing zones | N/A |
Growing season(s) | warm weather |
Spacing | 6 inches |
Start indoors or direct sow | direct sow |
Indoor sowing date | N/A |
Earliest outdoor planting | after last frost |
Soil temperature | 60° to 85° |
Fall planting | bush beans only, 75 days before average first frost |
Sun needs | 8+ hours |
Water needs | moderate |
Harvest category | quick burst (bush), full season (pole) |
Keep in Mind Tip: | Although beans can be grown in containers, you may not have the space to grow enough to make it worth it. Plant a minimum of 5 to 10 plants for a couple of fresh meals. |
Snapshot | Beautiful, prolific, and easily harvested, green beans are among the first plants beginning gardeners grow. The only real decision you’ll need to make is whether to grow bush beans or pole beans. Bush beans harvest earlier, do not need a trellis, and produce within a 2- to 3-week span. Pole beans start bearing later, require a trellis, bear until killed by frost, and produce a greater total yield. Bush beans are a great succession crop, but pole beans require less ground space, allowing more plants to be grown in a limited area. |
Starting | Wait until the soil has warmed before planting bean seeds. Although some germination will occur at 60°, the warmer the soil, the higher the germination rate will be. Plant seeds 3 inches apart, 1 inch deep in a full-sun location. After germination, thin plants as necessary to 6 inches apart. Avoid planting in wet, soggy soil because the seeds may rot before germination begins. |
Growing | Beans require little maintenance during the growing season. Just ensure pole beans have a trellis to climb. Keep developing plants well watered, and watch for insect damage. |
Harvesting and Storing | Snap beans are ready to harvest at about 4 inches long, depending on the variety. Pods should snap easily when bent, but the seeds inside should not be large enough to bulge in the pod. Perfect pods still have a sheen on the outside. For pole beans, pick regularly, because picking signals the plant to keep producing. Store freshly picked green beans in the refrigerator. |
Common Problem | Beetles are the biggest problem for green beans. Plant as early as the soil temperature allows to get a head start on growth. Mature bean plants withstand insect damage better than young ones. Handpick beetles you see. For heavy infestations, look at organic repellent options such as kaolin clay or neem oil. |
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