Grow Your Own Green Beans
By Vanessa Richins
The first plant that many kids grow, at least in my experience, is one lone green bean seed planted in a paper cup.
It has now become one of my favorite vegetables to grow.
Ok . . . if we’re being technical, it’s not a vegetable.
It’s actually a fruit – legume to be exact. Other legumes include other beans, peas, and peanuts. These plants are especially beneficial to the garden – they are able to “fix” nitrogen and add it back into the soil.
Ready to grow your own green beans? First you have to decide whether you want a bush variety or a pole one.
Bush beans are determinate – they grow to a certain height and produce at one time. They don’t need any extra support. Varieties include ‘Blue Lake’, ‘E-Z-Pick’, ‘Royal Burgandy’ and ‘Fresh Pick’.
Pole beans are indeterminate – the plants keep growing and are more vining. They will need to be supported. You can build a pole teepee, train along a trellis, or any other way to keep them from falling on the ground. Varieties include ‘Garden of Eden’, ‘Red Noodle’ and “Fortex’.
You’ll want to wait to plant your seeds until it is warmer, since they don’t tolerate cool weather well. Use your last frost date as a guide. Plant the seeds about 6″ apart.
You’ll want to make sure they are well watered throughout the growing season, though make sure it isn’t too damp, or you can attract fungal diseases. You may also see Mexican bean beetles or slugs; pick them off for control. Try to attract ladybugs to your garden to help with possible aphids. You may also see Japanese beetles.
If you are growing pole beans, use plant ties to help train it up the support.
In about 50-60 days (depending on variety), you’ll be able to start harvesting your green beans. You can harvest them when you like, up to about when they are about as big around as a pen. If you leave them longer, they will become tough.
I hope you enjoy growing green beans as much as I have! What’s your favorite variety?
May 10th, 2009 at 7:29 am
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