When to plant
Sow direct outdoors after last frost when soil is above 15°C — beans don't transplant well and germinate poorly in cold soil. They're warm-season crops. Succession plant every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest through summer.
Soil & site
Beans actually fix their own nitrogen from the air via root bacteria — they need less nitrogen than most vegetables. Prepare soil with compost and good drainage. pH 6.0–7.0. Avoid high-nitrogen soil which promotes excessive leaf growth over pods. Inoculate seeds with rhizobium bacteria (available at garden centres) for best nitrogen fixation.
Feeding
Minimal nitrogen feeding needed thanks to nitrogen fixation. A phosphorus-rich fertilizer at planting encourages strong roots and pod development. Avoid heavy feeding — beans self-fertilize.
Common problems
Mexican bean beetle (copper-coloured beetles and their yellow larvae on leaf undersides — hand-pick, use row cover early season). Bean mosaic virus from aphids — control aphids. Root rot in wet soil. Anthracnose (dark sunken spots on pods) in wet, cool conditions — improve air circulation.
When to harvest
For green/snap beans, harvest when pods are 10–15 cm long, snap cleanly when bent, and you can feel the beans are small inside. Don't wait until beans are bumpy and visible through the pod — these are over-mature and tough. For dried beans, leave pods until they rattle on the vine.
How to harvest
Snap or cut beans from the plant — never pull, as this can uproot shallow-rooted plants. Hold the stem with one hand and snap the bean off with the other. Harvest every 2–3 days at peak season — leaving mature beans signals the plant to stop producing.
Storage & use
Fresh green beans keep in the refrigerator for up to a week in a bag. For longer storage, blanch 3 minutes, shock in ice water, dry, and freeze for up to a year. Or pickle in a dill brine (dilly beans) for shelf-stable storage.
Companion planting
Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting nearby crops. Keep away from alliums.
Useful for growing bean
A few things that make this one easier — chosen for this plant, not a generic list.
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