Growing Beans: Types, Planting, and Pest Management

Most beans are frost-sensitive heat lovers, easily grown from seed. Moisten soil thoroughly before planting, then withhold water until seedlings emerge. Once growing, keep soil consistently moist. Fertilize after active growth begins and again when pods form. Control aphids, cucumber beetles, spider mites, and whiteflies as needed. These New World plants belong to the genus Phaseolus.

Bean Types

Dry Beans

Culture same as bush snap beans. Leave pods on bush until dry or shattering; thresh, dry, and store for later soaking and cooking. 'Pinto', 'Red Kidney', 'White Marrowfat'. Some varieties excel at green shelling stage, cooked like limas: flageolet (French favorite), 'French Horticultural Bean' ('October Bean'). Southwest heirlooms 'Aztec Dwarf White', 'Mitla White', 'New Mexico Appaloosa' are well-adapted to that region.

Lima Beans

Bush or pole (vine) forms. Slower than snap beans—bush: 65-75 days; pole: 78-95 days. Less reliable in extreme heat. Shell before cooking (tedious but worthwhile). Grow like snap beans.

Scarlet Runner Bean

Perennial twining vine grown as annual. Showy scarlet flower clusters and bright green trifoliate leaves. Covers fences, arbors; provides quick porch shade. Pink and white varieties exist. Edible young pods; mature pods toughen. Beans ready in 50-80 days. Older pods shelled and cooked like limas.

Snap Beans (String/Green Beans)

Most widely planted. Tender, fleshy pods—green, yellow (wax), or purple (turn green when cooked). Bush (self-supporting) or pole (climbing) types. Bush bears earlier; vines more productive. White or purple flowers (not showy).

Sow when soil is warm. Heavy seed leaves need loose, open soil. Bush: 1 in. deep, 1-3 in. apart, 2-3 ft. between rows. Pole: tepee of 8-ft. poles; or single poles 3-4 ft. apart with 6-8 seeds each, thinned to 3-4; or poles 1-2 ft. apart in rows; or along fence/trellis with string web. Harvest in 50-70 days. Pick every 3-5 days; mature pods halt production.