How Long Do Green Beans Take to Grow?

How long do green beans take to grow? Green beans are a popular and easy-to-grow vegetable that can provide a bountiful harvest in the summer and fall. Whether you choose bush or pole varieties, green beans will reward you with crisp and tasty pods that you can enjoy fresh, cooked, or preserved. In this blog post, I will guide you through the steps of growing green beans, from planting to harvesting, and share some tips and tricks to get the most out of your crop.

Choosing a Variety

The first thing you need to decide is what type of green beans you want to grow. There are two main types: bush and pole. Bush beans are compact plants that do not need any support and produce beans in a short period of time. Pole beans are climbing vines that need a trellis or stakes to grow on and produce beans for a longer period of time. Both types have many varieties that differ in color, shape, size, and flavor of the pods.

Some of the advantages of bush beans are:

• They take up less space and are suitable for small gardens or containers.
• They mature faster and can be harvested in 50 to 55 days.
• They are easier to maintain and do not need staking or pruning.

Some of the advantages of pole beans are:

• They produce more beans per plant and have a longer harvest window of 55 to 65 days.
• They are more disease-resistant and less prone to pests.
• They have more flavor and tenderness than bush beans.

Some of the popular varieties of bush beans are:

• Blue Lake: A classic green bean with straight, round, and tender pods that are 5 to 6 inches long. It has a mild and sweet flavor and is good for canning or freezing.
• Provider: A reliable and early-maturing variety that produces 5-inch-long pods that are crisp and flavorful. It is resistant to many diseases and can tolerate cool soil and weather.
• Royal Burgundy: A striking purple bean that turns green when cooked. It has 5 to 6 inch long pods that are stringless and tender. It is easy to spot and harvest and is resistant to bean beetles.

Some of the popular varieties of pole beans are

Kentucky Wonder

An heirloom variety that has been grown since the 1800s. It produces 7 to 10 inch long pods that are flat, stringless, and meaty. It has a rich and nutty flavor and is good for fresh eating or preserving.

Rattlesnake

A colorful and productive variety that has green pods with purple streaks. It has 7 to 8 inch long pods that are round, crisp, and tender. It has a mild and sweet flavor and is good for fresh eating or freezing.

Scarlet Runner

A decorative and edible variety that has red flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It has 6 to 10 inch long pods that are flat, stringy, and coarse. It has a strong and beany flavor and is good for soups or stews.

Preparing the Soil

Green beans grow best in well-drained soil with normal fertility and a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. They do not need a lot of fertilizer because they can fix their own nitrogen in the soil. However, if your soil is very poor, you can amend it with some aged manure or compost in the fall or a week before planting in the spring. You can also apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at the rate of 2 to 3 pounds per 100 square feet before planting.

Green beans prefer warm soil and will not germinate well in cold or wet conditions. To warm up the soil, you can cover it with black plastic or landscape fabric a few weeks before planting. You can also use raised beds or containers to improve drainage and soil temperature.

Planting the Seeds

Green beans are best sown directly in the garden after the last frost date in your area, when the soil temperature is at least 55°F (12°C). Do not plant too early, as cold and moist soil will delay germination and could cause the seeds to rot.

To plant bush beans, sow the seeds 1 to 2 inches deep and 3 to 6 inches apart in rows that are 18 to 24 inches apart. To plant pole beans, sow the seeds 1 to 2 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart in rows that are 30 to 36 inches apart. You can also plant pole beans in hills of 4 to 6 seeds around a pole or trellis that is 6 to 8 feet tall.

If you want to have a continuous harvest of green beans, you can stagger your plantings every two weeks until midsummer. This way, you will have fresh beans until the first frost in the fall.

Caring for the Plants

Green beans need regular watering, especially during flowering and pod formation. They need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, depending on the weather and soil type. Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth and avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to diseases. You can use mulch to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Green beans also need some support, especially pole beans. For pole beans, you can use poles, stakes, trellises, fences, or teepees to provide a structure for the vines to climb on. You can also use strings or wires to guide the vines and tie them loosely to the support. For bush beans, you can use cages, hoops, or stakes to keep the plants upright and prevent them from sprawling on the ground.

Green beans do not need much pruning, except for removing dead or diseased leaves and stems. You can also pinch off the tips of the vines when they reach the top of the support to encourage lateral growth and more pods.

Green beans are generally pest and disease-resistant, but they can be affected by some common problems, such as:

• Bean beetles: These are small, yellow or green beetles that feed on the leaves and pods of the plants. They can cause defoliation and reduced yield. You can control them by hand-picking, using row covers, or spraying with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Aphids: These are tiny, sap-sucking insects that cluster on the undersides of the leaves and stems. They can cause curling, yellowing, and distortion of the leaves and transmit viral diseases. You can control them by spraying with a strong jet of water, using beneficial insects, or spraying with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Powdery mildew: This is a fungal disease that causes white, powdery spots on the leaves and stems. It can reduce photosynthesis and vigor of the plants. You can prevent it by avoiding overhead watering, improving air circulation, and removing infected plant parts. You can also treat it with fungicides or baking soda spray.
• Rust: This is another fungal disease that causes orange, pustular spots on the leaves and stems. It can reduce photosynthesis and vigor of the plants. You can prevent it by avoiding overhead watering, improving air circulation, and removing infected plant parts. You can also treat it with fungicides or copper spray.

Harvesting the Pods

Green beans are ready to harvest when the pods are firm, crisp, and snap easily. The size and shape of the pods depend on the variety, but they are usually 4 to 8 inches long. Do not wait too long to harvest, as the pods will become tough, stringy, and bitter. You can harvest green beans every 2 to 3 days, depending on the growth rate and weather. The more you pick, the more the plants will produce.

To harvest green beans, use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the pods from the plants. Do not pull or twist the pods, as this can damage the plants and reduce future yield. Harvest in the morning or evening, when the pods are cool and crisp. Handle the pods gently and avoid bruising or damaging them.

You can store green beans in the refrigerator for up to a week, or you can preserve them by canning, freezing, drying, or pickling. You can also enjoy them fresh, cooked, or raw in salads, soups, stir-fries, casseroles, or as a side dish.

Conclusion

Green beans are a rewarding and versatile vegetable that can add color, flavor, and nutrition to your garden and table. By following these steps, you can grow your own green beans and enjoy a fresh and delicious harvest throughout the season. Happy gardening!

Frequently Asked Questions on the Topic of How Long for Green Beans to Grow

Q: How do I choose between bush and pole beans?

• A: Bush beans are compact and fast-maturing, while pole beans are climbing and long-bearing. Choose the type that suits your space, taste, and harvest preference.

Q: How do I prepare the soil for green beans?

• A: Green beans grow best in well-drained soil with normal fertility and a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. You can amend the soil with some aged manure or compost before planting and apply a balanced fertilizer at a low rate.

Q: When and how do I plant green bean seeds?

• A: Green beans are best sown directly in the garden after the last frost date, when the soil temperature is at least 55°F (12°C). Sow the seeds 1 to 2 inches deep and 3 to 6 inches apart for bush beans, or 4 to 6 inches apart for pole beans. You can stagger your plantings every two weeks for a continuous harvest.

Q: How do I water and mulch green beans?

• A: Green beans need regular watering, especially during flowering and pod formation. They need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, depending on the weather and soil type. Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth and avoid wetting the foliage. You can use mulch to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Q: How do I support and prune green beans?

• A: Green beans need some support, especially pole beans. You can use poles, stakes, trellises, fences, or teepees to provide a structure for the vines to climb on. You can also use strings or wires to guide the vines and tie them loosely to the support. Green beans do not need much pruning, except for removing dead or diseased leaves and stems. You can also pinch off the tips of the vines when they reach the top of the support to encourage lateral growth and more pods.

Q: How do I prevent and control pests and diseases on green beans?

• A: Green beans are generally pest and disease resistant, but they can be affected by some common problems, such as bean beetles, aphids, powdery mildew, and rust. You can prevent and control them by using cultural practices, such as crop rotation, row covers, handpicking, beneficial insects, and organic sprays.

Q: How do I harvest and store green beans?

• A: Green beans are ready to harvest when the pods are firm, crisp, and snap easily. The size and shape of the pods depend on the variety, but they are usually 4 to 8 inches long. Do not wait too long to harvest, as the pods will become tough, stringy, and bitter. You can harvest green beans every 2 to 3 days, depending on the growth rate and weather. The more you pick, the more the plants will produce. To harvest green beans, use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the pods from the plants. Do not pull or twist the pods, as this can damage the plants and reduce future yield. Harvest in the morning or evening, when the pods are cool and crisp. Handle the pods gently and avoid bruising or damaging them. You can store green beans in the refrigerator for up to a week, or you can preserve them by canning, freezing, drying, or pickling.

Q: What are some of the benefits of growing green beans?

• A: Green beans are a rewarding and versatile vegetable that can add color, flavor, and nutrition to your garden and table. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. They can also fix their own nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit other crops. They are easy to grow and can adapt to different climates and conditions.

Q: What are some of the challenges of growing green beans?

• A: Green beans are sensitive to cold and wet soil, which can delay germination and cause the seeds to rot. They also need regular watering and support, which can require some time and effort. They can also attract some pests and diseases, which can reduce the quality and quantity of the pods.

Q: What are some of the ways to enjoy green beans?

• A: Green beans are a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in many ways. You can eat them fresh, cooked, or raw in salads, soups, stir-fries, casseroles, or as a side dish. You can also season them with herbs, spices, butter, cheese, lemon, vinegar, or soy sauce. You can also mix them with other vegetables, grains, meats, or nuts. The possibilities are endless!