{"id":2422,"date":"2019-06-10T03:17:20","date_gmt":"2019-06-10T03:17:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2422"},"modified":"2020-01-22T09:19:55","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T09:19:55","slug":"14-steps-from-planing-to-harvesting-bush-beans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/14-steps-from-planing-to-harvesting-bush-beans\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Steps From Planing to Harvesting Bush Beans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you think about all the ways you can use beans in your favorite dips, casseroles, soups, and more, you will realize that it would be pretty nice to have some on hand at all times. Sure, beans are easy to find at most grocery stores and market, but they are just as easy to grow at your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you grow your own bush beans, you have more control over the compost, mulch, and fertilizer you give them. You can ensure they grow healthy and meet your standards. You can also get a lot for your money. One bush bean plant can produce hundreds of beans over and over again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing beans isn\u2019t difficult, and if you time them just right, you can plant them early enough to have a nice supply of beans by the end of the growing season. Here are some tips to ensure they grow right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Start Seeds Outdoors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to growing bush beans from seeds, you are better off to start them outside. Some people like to start their plants inside, and then transplant them outdoors as they get bigger and stronger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beans don\u2019t transplant well from inside to outside and will likely not survive the move. You should plant your bush beans one to two inches deep in the soil and about four inches apart. If you are planning on planting beans for a nice harvest all season long, you should plant the beans every 14 days. If you are gardening in a small space and have to plant the bush beans close together, don\u2019t worry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bush beans do better when they are close together. You can plant them in mounds or sections for good results. Bush beans that are bunched up together are less likely to burn in the sun or suffer from root rot as the leaves act as a canopy to shade the roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Water<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Beans need a lot of water when they are first planted. In fact, you should water them daily until they sprout. Many people like to soak their seeds in water before they plant them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This allows the outer shell to soften so the plants can germinate faster. If you choose to do this, you will need to plant the beans within 24 hours of soaking them. Once the beans sprouts, they require less water but should be checked regularly to ensure that they are not drying out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the beans receive too much water, the water could set near the roots of the plant and lead to root rot. It\u2019s a good idea to plant the beans in soil that is well-drained. This will ensure the plants are getting all the water they need without being overwatered. The water can drain down into the soil, and the plants can absorb it as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Mulch<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s always a good idea to add mulch to the base of your bush beans. The mulch will help drain the water, so it doesn\u2019t cause the roots to rot. Mulch will keep moisture in, so you need to water the beans less often. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you decide to use mulch with your bush beans, you need to make sure you choose one that is organic. Other types of mulch may contain chemicals that can harm the plants as the mulch breaks down. Using organic mulch will ensure that the plants are not at risk for problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use wood mulch, shredded newspaper, grass clippings, and other things you have around your home for mulch. When your bean plants are small, you may not be able to add a lot of mulch. As they grow, you should add more to cover the roots and protect them from wind, water, and sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Fertilize<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Beans need a lot of nutrients to grow, and sometimes you soil just doesn\u2019t have enough of what they need. You can add nutrients to the soil with fertilizer. As the fertilizer breaks down, it releases nutrients into the soil. The plants absorb it through their roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also use compost to add more nutrients to the soil. Beans can grow for a long time, so it\u2019s not uncommon for them to deplete all the nutrients from the soil. If you grow beans every season, you will also need to make sure you don\u2019t plant them in the same spot every year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t have any choice but to plant the beans in the same place, you should add fertilizer and compost to the soil before you plant the seeds. This will ensure that the soil has plenty of nutrients to offer the plants as they grow during the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Weed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Weeds are the enemies of plants. They will invade their growing spaces and take away all the nutrients. They can cause the plants to become weak and prevent them from growing properly. In some cases, if the weeds get too bad, they can kill the beans. It is important to weed the beans, in the beginning, to ensure they get a good start. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the beans start to grow together and create a canopy, the leaves of the bean plants will keep the area around the base of the beans shaded. Weeds won\u2019t be able to live there are will die. You may still see a few weeds pop up every now and then, but the bean plants will be much easier to maintain once the beans grow larger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid using weed sprays around the base of the plants as they can soak into the ground and be absorbed by the plants. This can kill the bean plants and make the beans taste bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Protect From Pests<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pests can cause serious problems for your growing bean plants. There are a lot of animals and insects that eat bean plants, and if you aren\u2019t careful, you could lose the plants to these pests. It can be tricky to try to keep pests away from the beans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t want to use any chemicals that may deter the pests but also harm the plants. You can try adding things like scarecrows, tin plates, and other things that move and make noise that might scare animals and pests away from the beans. Growing them close to your home can also have a big impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that there are pests trying to eat your beans and plants, check your local garden center for deterrent sprays that are organic or safe to use on your plants. You can also make your own deterrent spray with natural herbs and products that you may already have in your kitchen or home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Harvest <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes time to harvest the beans, don\u2019t be shy about it. Take as many beans as you want from the plants. The plants need to be harvested in order for the plant to continue to produce beans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the beans are left on the plants for a long time, the plants will stop producing more beans. If you want to get as many beans as possible from your plants, you will harvest them regularly. Anytime you see beans on the plant; you can harvest them. Harvesting your beans as soon as you see them on the plant will also ensure that they taste right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people feel that younger beans have better taste and texture. To harvest the beans, you just have to pull them from the plant. It doesn\u2019t take much effort, and you can do it pretty quickly. If you notice any of the beans are damaged, throw them away, but don\u2019t leave them on the plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Store<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Beans can be eaten as soon as they are picked, although it is wise to rinse them first.  Beans can also be soaked to be made more tender before being cooked. This will help them cook faster and allow you to use them in your favorite recipes in a timely manner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are can\u2019t use all the beans at one time, you may want to store them so they will have a longer shelf life. You can do so by either drying out the beans or canning them. Both options take some time and effort but are a great way to make the most of your impressive bean harvest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beans that are stored properly can last for a long time. That means you will have beans on-hand anytime you want them. \u00a0Some people even like to pickle beans as a way to preserve them or make them last longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Bush Bean Diseases<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your bush bean crop requires protection from pests, but they are not the only threat to the health of your plants. Fungal and bacterial diseases also cause stress and injury to your bush beans. When the spring gets underway, it’s a prudent strategy to check your garden once or twice a week for signs of disease. Here are the most common infections you’ll find in your bush beans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bean rust \u2013 This fungal disease produces tiny brown and black lesions on the stem of the plant, which eventually produce sunken areas. Foliage may also develop brown staining that causes wilting and death of the leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anthracnose \u2013 This bacterial disease causes lesions of the leaves, forcing them to turn boron and whither. Reasons for the development of the is disease include hot weather and incorrect watering practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blackroot rot \u2013 This disease appears a small yellow or white spots on the foliage.
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10. Crop Rotation Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When planting your garden, it’s best if you take a few moments to plan for the future. Many new gardeners make the mistake of trying to plant as many vegetables and fruits in the garden as they can. In this futile attempt to use as much growing space as possible, we neglect to take into account the following growing season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your bush beans develop a bacterial or fungal infection, the pathogen may end up remaining in the ground for a few years after you pull the plant. As a result, everything you plant in the same spot is at risk of infection with the same pathogen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rotating your crops means that you leave a section of your garden unplanted every season. This strategy allows you to fertilize and till the soil in preparation for the following year. If any of your plants experience infection, you can remove them from the ground and plant successive crops in the rested area of the garden, avoiding re-infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Growing Bush Beans in Containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While bush beans are excellent for planting outdoors, nothing is stopping you from planting them in a container as well. Bush beans make attractive pot plants, and we recommend that you look into training them against a wall, allowing you to develop large bushes that continue to yields beans year after year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your bush bean plant requires support when it starts to get too large and heavy in the late summer months. The plant keeps producing and growing, and you need to train it so you can harvest throughout the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bush beans don’t need a huge pot to get started, and their needs during the growing season are minimal compared to many other vegetables in your garden. Start with a container that has a minimum depth of 9-inches. Starting your beans indoors helps you to maximize the spring and summertime, allowing your multiple harvests from your bush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always ensure that your container has adequate draining, and use loamy soil when planting to avoid your bush bean getting “wet feet,” that may induce root rot.
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12. Support Your Beans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Failing to support the growing needs of your plants is one of the biggest mistakes made by new and novice growers that choose to plant bush beans. Bush bean plants like to grow large, and the weight of the tops may cause them to fall over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to your garden in the morning to find you beans laying on the floor is a frustrating experience for any gardener. When plants touch the ground, they start to rot, and if you don’t catch it in time, the rot can devastate your bean plant, reducing production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, you can support your plant and ensure that it has everything it needs to remain upright. We recommend you use one of the following strategies to support your beans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staking \u2013 Drive a stake 18-inches into the ground and train your bush bean around it as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trellis \u2013 Build an A-frame trellis along the length of your flowerbed. This strategy works well for supporting multiple bushes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomato cage \u2013 If growing in pots, wrap a tomato cage around the outside of the container, and train the bush through the gaps.
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13. Succession Planting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bush bean plants yield throughout the growing season, but some only produce two or three yields before perishing. As a result, we recommend that you try succession planting techniques to help your garden keep providing beans throughout the growing season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Succession planting involves spacing out the cultivation of your beans by four to six weeks. By using this planting strategy, your secondary planting starts to yield crops as your first plants begin to die. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, you have a consistent production of bean throughout the growing season, allowing you to maximize the production time available before the season comes to a close and the wintertime sets in for the remainder of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beans prefer cooler temperatures when starting the seeds. To simulate a colder environment when planting your succession crop, water the ground thoroughly before planting, sow your seeds and then lay a board on the surface of the soil to lock in the moisture and reduce the temperature. Lift the board every morning to check on the status of your beans, and remove the board when you start to notice the shoots reaching through the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Bush Bean Varieties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It may surprise you to learn that there are many varieties of bush beans. Most bean varieties prefer colder conditions during the planting season, so if you live in a warmer region of the United States, then we recommend that you start your planting season early before the spring gets underway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to selecting the right bean variety for your garden and growing conditions, we recommend that you have a look at the following types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue Lake 274 \u2013 Bred from the Blue Lake Pole bean in 1961, this variety of bush bean has tender pods that take 60-days to mature. It’s an excellent producer, and they are suitable for freezing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bountiful \u2013 This variety has excellent resistance to disease and pests. These plants finish in 49-days and are also suitable for freezing and canning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Burpee’s Stringless \u2013 this drought-tolerant variety is the best choice for areas of the country that don’t get much rain during the season. You’ll need 50-days for harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n