Beans are a common crop for the home vegetable gardener, because they are easy to grow. Beans are a warm season crop, being planted soon after the final frost date in the growing zone. Bean seeds do best when they are directly sown into the garden soil, rather than started inside and transplanted outdoors later. It takes about 50 to 90 days for beans to reach maturity and be ready to harvest. The exact length of growing time for the bean depends on the variety of bean. Pole beans generally take longer to mature than bush variety beans.
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To grow your own bush beans in your home garden, begin by planting them 2 inches apart in a row. The bean seeds should be planted after the chance of frost has passed. Place approximately 6 inches between rows of bush beans. Faster growing crops, such as lettuce or spinach, can be filled in between the rows and harvested long before the bush beans begin to mature.
To grow your own pole beans, a trellis must be prepared in advance. The trellis should be made from sturdy stakes that are driven into the ground and rope, or mesh, for the beans to climb. Pole beans need one pole per plant. Pole beans grown up a trellis provide superb shade for lettuces, broccoli and cabbage that enjoy the shade provided by the beans. Pole beans should be spaced at least three inches apart. A little extra room between rows is helpful for harvesting.
After the first spring planting, bean seeds can continue to be planted throughout the summer, up until 10 weeks before the first fall frost in the area. Later plantings of beans, ensures a continuous supply throughout the summer. The last planting must take place in time for the beans to reach maturity and be harvested before the first fall frost.
For gardeners that appreciate heirloom seeds, the following heirloom beans produce well and are common favorites among home gardeners:
King of the Garden – These beans take approximately 70 days to reach maturity. They are a type of Lima Bean that do well on polls or trellises.
Kentucky Wonder – These are snap beans that make excellent pole climbers. In the bush variety the Kentucky Wonder approximately 50 – 65 days to mature, while the pole beans take 60 to 75 days to mature.
Blue Lake – The blue lake are snap beans that make an excellent bush variety they are good for canning or freezing. They take approximately 70 days to reach full maturity.
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