Growing Green Beans Outdoors: 15 Steps from Planting to Harvesting

Beans

Green beans are a delicious garden crop that is becoming increasingly popular. They grow well both in the garden and indoors. The key is to follow the planting and care guidelines for outdoor growing. It's best to grow regional varieties. A good yield can be achieved by following the recommended planting schedule and pattern.

Features of green beans

Although beans thrive on warmth, the main challenge in growing them isn't the cold summer, but the long daylight hours. The legume's native land is Latin America, located near the equator. Daylight there lasts approximately 12 hours. These conditions are ideal for the growth of legumes. The white nights typical of northern regions hinder normal plant development.

Green bean inflorescences are small and vary in color, but white or greenish are most common. The color, shape, and length of the beans and pods vary among varieties. The fruits can be round or flat, smooth or curved, as seen in the photo. Common colors are green, purple, and yellow. Less common are pink, variegated, or white beans. Based on growth habit, legumes are divided into two types:

Bush. A low, compact plant grown without support. Beans tolerate low temperatures well. The fruits ripen almost simultaneously.
Climbing. The vine is 2.5-3 m long and grows upward, clinging to a support. Climbing beans are highly productive and have a long fruiting period.

Sowing dates

In southern regions, beans are sown in late April. In temperate climates, beans are planted outdoors in late May, when frosts are no longer expected. In the Urals and Siberia, the planting date shifts to early June. Bean sprouts can withstand temperatures as low as 0°C, but will die at -1°C. After a short frost, the sprouts will survive, but will develop slowly and yield a poor harvest. The optimal daytime temperature for legumes is 20 to 25°C.

Beans are planted when the soil warms to 12–15°C, at a depth of 10–12 cm. According to popular belief, the beginning of chestnut blossoms indicates that the soil is warm enough. To begin planting earlier, cover the soil with plastic film to warm it up. After sowing the beans, the beds should be covered again. The film is removed when the nighttime temperature rises to 12°C.

Note!

White agrotextile, lutrasil or spunbond can be used as covering material.

The lunar calendar also has its own dates.

Favorable days in 2024:

April: 13-16;
May: 11-13, 21;
June: 8, 9, 17-19.

Unfavorable:

April: 7-9, 23-25;
May: 7-9, 22-24;
June: 5-7, 21-23.

All the rest are neutral.

The best varieties of green beans

There are approximately 50 varieties of beans, most of which were created by breeders. When choosing a variety, in addition to yield, it's important to consider its suitability for cultivation in a specific region. To avoid difficulties growing beans outdoors, it's best to plant varieties adapted to the local climate.

Varieties for the Moscow region, Ukraine, and Belarus

The Moscow region, Ukraine, and Belarus have mild and warm climates. Almost any variety of bean can be grown here. Gardeners prefer the following varieties:

Moscow White Green-Pod 556 is a mid-season variety. The fruits are harvested 100 days after sowing. The bushes are low, only 25 cm tall. The pods are covered with a thin parchment film. The plants tolerate short-term drought well.
Kochevnik is a mid-early variety. The plant is climbing. The beans are oval, dark yellow with a subtle purple pattern. The pods are free of coarse fibers. The variety is resistant to fungus.
Bergold is a variety of asparagus beans known for their high yields. The fruits ripen early, reaching milky maturity 55-60 days after planting. The pods are soft and juicy. The plants are compact, reaching 40 cm in height. The pods are yellow, slightly curved, and 15 cm long. The beans are oval and white. The plants produce abundantly, yielding over 2.5 kg per m.².

Varieties for the central zone and the Urals

In the central and Ural regions, soil warms up late. Early varieties are suitable for these areas:

Oran is an early-ripening grain crop. Harvesting occurs 80 days after germination. The bushes reach a height of 40-55 cm. The pods are slightly curved and 9-12 cm long. The seeds are white and small. Yields range from 1.5-2 kg per 1 m.²The variety is valued for its excellent taste.
Pink is an early-ripening variety. It takes 65-85 days from seed germination to harvest. The bushes grow up to 3 m tall, requiring support. The pods are green with purple streaks. They are juicy and tender, without any parchment-like fibers. The beans are a marbled pink color.
Fatima is a high-yielding variety. The shoots reach a length of approximately 3 meters. Technical maturity occurs 55 days after sprouting. Fruiting is prolonged. The pods are light green, smooth, and up to 23 cm long. The seeds are white and veined. The flavor of asparagus beans is delicate and sweet. From 1 m² 3.2-3.5 kg of fruits are collected.

Varieties for Siberia

The Siberian climate is harsher than the European part of Russia. Springs are cold, and consistent warmth sets in late. Gardeners in Siberia most often grow the following bean varieties:

Winner is a climbing bean distinguished by its large pods. They are harvested 85-90 days after germination. The pods reach a length of 28-30 cm. The beans are purple with black speckles. From 1 m² You can get up to 1.5 kg of fruit. The plants have strong immunity and cold resistance. Because of their dark red inflorescences, beans are often planted for ornamental purposes.
The Butter King is an early-ripening asparagus bean. The ripening period lasts 45 days. The tubular pods are tender and pleasant to the taste. The bushes are compact, growing up to 40 cm in height. The fruits are round, bright yellow, and 25 cm long. They are tender and slightly oily in taste. The variety has a high yield of 2-2.3 kg/m3.²Beans are resistant to fungal and viral diseases and tolerate drought well.

Growing indoors

Growing green beans indoors requires suitable conditions. They can be grown on a loggia or balcony. Bush varieties are best, as they don't require much space and produce a harvest early and abundantly. However, even climbing beans will thrive if you have high windows. The following varieties are suitable for indoor cultivation: Bona, Sweet Courage, Neringa, and Blue Lake. Violetta, Golden Neck, and Raspberry Ring are also suitable for interior decoration.

Beans have shallow roots, so large containers aren't necessary. A 3-liter flowerpot will suffice for a bush plant, while a 30-35-liter container is sufficient for a vine. The containers are filled with garden soil and well-rotted manure in a 2:1 ratio. A mixture of compost, sand, and peat can also be prepared. Crushed chalk or activated charcoal can be added to prevent disease. The soil should be nutritious and have a neutral pH. Climbing varieties require 1.5-meter-high supports.

Sprouted bean seeds are planted in pots in early May. The soil is moistened as it dries. This procedure is carried out in the morning, taking care to avoid getting water on the stems. Watering is stopped after the second pair of leaves has formed. It is resumed when buds appear. The bushes bloom 1.5 months after planting. Fertilizer is applied every two weeks. The plants are fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers or an ash infusion.

Important!

Beans planted on an open balcony should be protected from rain to prevent waterlogging. Containers should be moved under a roof.

The lack of light is compensated for by supplementing with fluorescent lamps. Lighting is arranged so that daylight lasts no more than 12 hours. In summer, plants thrive in west- or east-facing windows. Indoors, the grain yield will be low. Therefore, beans are primarily planted for their milky pods, although they will not be as abundant as in a garden bed.

Sowing rules

To ensure faster germination, bean seeds need to be properly prepared for planting. This includes calibration, disinfection, and soaking. Before preparing the seeds, they need to be warmed in the sun. The seeds should be spread out on a south-facing windowsill and kept there for at least 7 days. Do not place the seedlings on a radiator.

Pre-planting seed preparation

Pre-sowing preparation will increase bean germination and prevent disease. The process consists of the following steps:

Calibration. Discard any damaged or discolored seeds. Selected seeds are immersed in a 3-5% salt solution. Seeds that float to the surface are unsuitable for planting. Seeds that remain at the bottom are thoroughly rinsed with water.
Disinfection. The grains are soaked for 20 minutes in a 2% potassium permanganate solution (2 g per 100 ml of water). They are then rinsed and dried. A biological fungicide such as Maxim, Baikal-EM, Alirin-B, or Bayleton can be used instead of potassium permanganate.
Soaking. Place a damp cloth on the bottom of a wide container, then place the beans on it. Cover them with several layers of wet gauze. Soak the beans for 12-15 hours, ensuring they remain moist at all times. It's helpful to add a few drops of a growth stimulant to the water: Epin, Kornevin, or Zircon.
Hardening. This is used in regions prone to late, recurring frosts. Soaked beans are kept in the refrigerator at 4°C for 5-6 hours.

Advice!

To protect beans from pests and fungus, soak sprouted beans in a boric acid solution for 5 minutes immediately before planting. To prepare, you'll need 1 liter of warm water and 0.2 g of the crystalline substance.

Selecting a site and preparing the soil

A good harvest of green beans can be grown in a sunny, wind-protected area. It is recommended to plant this legume in fertile, loose soil. The plants grow poorly in sandy or clayey soils, especially with high groundwater levels. In waterlogged areas, the roots will simply rot. In the garden, beans should be planted after nightshades, cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, beets, and corn. Poor predecessors include beans, peas, soybeans, peanuts, and lentils. Beans should not be returned to their previous location for 3-4 years.

If the soil has been well-amended with organic matter, adding a phosphorus-potassium mixture is sufficient. Beans naturally enrich the soil with nitrogen, so there's no need to add the nutrient. An excess of nitrogen will cause intense green growth, to the detriment of the crop. If the soil is poor, dig it up to a depth of 1 m during the fall.² add the following components:

compost or rotted manure – 4 kg;
potassium fertilizers – 20-25 g;
superphosphate – 30 g.

Two weeks before planting bean seeds, loosen the soil and apply potassium fertilizer again. Wood ash is also suitable, adding it at a rate of 0.5-0.7 liters per 1 m.²Beans do not tolerate highly acidic soil. The optimal pH is 6-7. If it is higher than normal, the soil is limed with dolomite flour or slaked lime. The substances are incorporated to a depth of 20 cm. Weeds are removed from the beds before sowing the seeds.

Bean planting pattern and depth

Bush varieties are sown in rows or staggered, with holes spaced 20-25 cm apart. Leave 40-45 cm between rows. Place two beans in each hole. No more than four rows are recommended in a single bed. Climbing varieties are planted in a 30x50 cm pattern. Place five seeds in each hole. If the soil is not moist enough, add a little water. When the seedlings have developed one leaf, leave three strong seedlings and remove the rest.

Important!

The optimal planting depth for beans is 5-6 cm. If the top layer of soil is thin, the sprouts will fall over, but if the seeds are planted deeply, the seedlings will appear later.

Climbing beans should be grown properly on supports. The stakes should be sturdy, as mature plants with fruit are quite heavy. Legumes can be planted alongside corn or sunflowers, near a fence or gazebo. A trellis 1.5-2 meters high is installed in the garden bed. It is constructed from stakes with twine or wire stretched between them.

When growing in nests, the legume is planted around a wooden stake, with ropes or twigs attached to the top. These can be secured with wire. The rope is placed around the perimeter of the circle to create a pyramid-shaped structure. Metal or plastic pipe sections are not suitable for support, as the shoots will not hold on a slippery surface.

What is the correct way?

There are two methods for planting bean seeds in open ground: rows or strips. In the first method, plants are planted in a single row, spaced 25 cm apart. The average row spacing is 45 cm. This method requires a larger area because it reduces planting density. Row planting allows for easier harvesting, and during heavy rains, the plants dry out quickly, preventing fungus from developing.

Care

Seedlings emerge from planted seeds after 15-25 days. When the sprouts reach a height of 10 cm, they are hilled up. This helps the plants establish themselves in the soil. This procedure is repeated several times during the season. Excess sprouts are pinched off rather than pulled out to avoid damaging the roots.

To conserve moisture, the soil between rows can be sprinkled with dry grass or humus. A layer of mulch prevents weed growth. To redirect nutrients to the fruit, the tops of climbing varieties are removed when the stems reach 2 m in length.

Watering and fertilizing

Growing bush beans involves watering, weeding, and fertilizing. Avoid allowing the soil to dry out. Insufficient moisture causes the green bean ovaries to fall off en masse. During flowering, water the plants every other day to prevent the top layer from drying out. Once the fruit sets, water the soil infrequently but thoroughly. Use 1.5-2 liters of settled water per plant. The water temperature should not fall below 18°C. Increase the interval between waterings to 6-7 days. When the soil has dried out slightly, gently loosen it.

When caring for beans, apply a complex fertilizer. The plants respond well to this treatment: the pods become fleshy and the stems strong. Fertilizer is applied three times during the season:

The first feeding is carried out one month after the seedlings emerge. Superphosphate is added to the soil at a rate of 30-40 g/m².
The second time the plants are fed 21 days after the first. Per 1 m² 10-15 g of potassium salt are added.
The third time, legumes are fed after three weeks. They can be watered with an infusion of grass diluted with water at a ratio of 1:10.

Note!

Green beans are sensitive to boron, molybdenum, and manganese deficiencies. Therefore, it's helpful to water the plants twice with a mixture of boric acid, potassium permanganate, and ammonium sulfate at a ratio of 2 g per 10 liters of water.

Pest control

With proper seed preparation, diseases are rare. Crop rotation is essential. It is recommended to treat the soil with Fitosporin. Insect pests include aphids, whiteflies, bean weevils, and seedling flies. They reproduce rapidly and can destroy the entire crop. Before planting, seeds should be frozen for 3-4 days to kill the beetles and their larvae.

As a preventative measure, plantings can be treated with a biological product such as Akarin, Bitoxybacillin, Boverin, or Fitoverm. Plants are sprayed at least three times. This product can be used at any stage of the growing season, as it is non-toxic. Biological products do not harm pollinating insects or the environment. Aphids can be controlled by spraying the plants with a soap solution or onion infusion.

Harvesting

Bush beans produce fruit uniformly. The harvest can be collected in 2-3 stages. Climbing varieties bear fruit for 6-8 weeks, until severe cold weather sets in. The pods should be harvested every 5-6 days. Timely harvesting stimulates the formation of new ovaries. Harvest timing for beans depends on the variety:

In early varieties, pods begin to be removed approximately 50 days after the sprouts appear;
for mid-season varieties - after 70 days;
for late ones – after 90-100 days.

Green pods or ripe beans are edible. Young asparagus beans are harvested 10-12 days after flowering. The pods should not be overripe, otherwise they will become tough and tasteless. At the milky stage, the beans bend easily and do not break. The beans inside reach the size of a grain of wheat. The pods are cut with scissors in the morning, when they are at their juiciest. They are used in a variety of dishes and can be stored frozen or canned.

Reviews

Elena

Fans of green beans should plant both bush and climbing beans. This way, they can harvest from midsummer to late fall. The plants are tolerant of light frosts. The long stems of climbing beans look beautiful growing on a hedge or arbor. The pods are always clean, so you don't have to bend over to pick them. Green beans are easy to care for. However, they do require watering, especially during fruit set and growth.

Vladimir

It's best to plant beans after the seeds have sprouted. If you skip this preparation stage, the sprouts won't appear quickly. It's best to buy seeds that are zoned for cultivation. Climbing plants produce higher yields. Bush beans, on the other hand, ripen evenly and don't require support. To grow more beans, they need watering.

Xenia

Legumes love potassium, which is abundant in wood ash. Ash can be added to each hole when planting. When growing green beans in the garden, it's important not to miss the milky stage, which lasts 1-2 days. After harvesting, I don't dig up the roots. They contain special nodules that enrich the soil with nitrogen. The remaining roots rot until spring, turning into organic fertilizer.

Gardeners who grow green beans prepare healthy dishes from them. High-quality seed and proper preparation are the key to a good harvest. Climbing varieties can be grown simply for decoration. Breeders have created many varieties with buds of different colors. Asparagus beans are planted to produce tender pods. A good harvest of beans is obtained in regions with warm climates. To achieve a larger yield, it is necessary to follow proper bean cultivation practices.