Growing Beans: Pole and Bush Varieties for a Bountiful Harvest

Pole and bush beans (commonly called green beans) are tender, productive, and perfect for fresh eating or recipes. Bush beans need less maintenance; pole beans yield more over a longer season.

Planting Beans

• Pole beans climb and need trellises or stakes; bush beans spread to 2 feet, no support needed. Watch our video on proper bean support.
• Don’t start seeds indoors—transplanting often fails.
• Sow outdoors after last spring frost, minimum soil temp 48°F. Plant 1 inch deep (deeper in sandy soil). Cover soil to warm if needed.
• Bush beans: plant 2 inches apart.
• Pole beans: set up trellises or “cattle panels” (16 ft long, 5 ft tall wire fence sections), plant 3 inches apart. Beans climb easily; harvesting is comfortable.
• For continuous harvest, sow every 2 weeks. Skip a planting if away—beans won’t wait.
• Rotate crops annually.

Care

• Mulch to retain moisture; ensure good drainage.
• Water regularly from pod set onward. Water on sunny days so foliage dries.
• Beans need normal fertility. Fertilize only if levels are low, after heavy bloom and pod set.
• Use high-nitrogen fertilizer sparingly—excess yields lush plants, few beans.
• Weed diligently with shallow cultivation to protect roots.

Pests and Diseases

• Aphids
• Mexican Bean Beetles
• Japanese Beetles
• Cucumber Beetles
• White Mold
• Mosaic Viruses
• Woodchucks
• Cutworms
• Blossoms drop in extreme heat; excess nitrogen prevents pod set.

Harvest and Storage

• Pick at immature stage, before seeds fully develop.
• Choose firm, sizable pods; snap or cut off—don’t tear plants.
• Store in moisture-proof, airtight container in refrigerator. Beans toughen over time.
• Fresh: ~4 days. Blanch and freeze immediately after harvest for longer storage.
• Can also be canned or pickled.

Recommended Varieties

• ‘Bush Blue Lake’ (bush): retains flavor well after harvest.
• ‘Bountiful’ (bush): early producer.
• ‘Fortex’ (pole): French variety, large beans.
• ‘Kentucky Wonder’ (pole): prolific harvest.

Wit & Wisdom

Beans feature in expressions like “not worth a hill of beans” (meaning very little), though today a hill of beans costs a pretty penny.

Recipes

• Green Bean Salad
• Green Bean Casserole
• Green Bean and Basil Soup