How to Grow Beans for Beginners

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Learning how to grow beans for beginners can be simple and rewarding, with a pantry and freezer full of this versatile vegetable to enjoy all winter long. There are small adjustments that can be made each season to keep improving your crop, and even if you have grown beans before, you might discover a few helpful tips to make this year’s harvest even better.

Gardening 101 in a way that will fill your summer garden with amazing vegetables by getting best practices on how to plant, water, weed, and harvest a crop of beans this growing season.

I have to be honest—I’m not a fan of beans. As a kid, I avoided them at all costs and that same feeling is with me today. I even tried cooking them with bacon (because bacon makes everything better, right?), but no luck.

My husband, however, loves them.

He loves them so much that I end up planting a few bean plants in the garden every summer just for him. That’s the beauty of having your own garden—you get to decide what grows. Even if beans aren’t my favorite, it’s easy to squeeze a couple of plants in to make him happy.

Things to Know About Beans

Beans are great for beginners because they’re simple to grow and packed with fiber and nutrients. Plus, with so many varieties, you’re likely to find one your family will enjoy. And the best part? If you plant them, they’ll almost always grow. Just keep a few things in mind before you get started.

When it comes to growing beans, there are two main types to choose from: pole beans and bush beans. Understanding the difference between them will help you to choose the best spot for growing.

Pole Beans

Pole beans grow upward, so you’ll need something like a trellis or a fence to support them. The great thing about this is that they don’t take up much ground space, making them perfect for squeezing into smaller areas of your garden.

Once planted, pole beans take about 6-8 weeks to mature and can be harvested throughout their growing season. This gives you some flexibility when planning your planting schedule.

Bush Beans

Bush beans, on the other hand, grow low to the ground in a compact space, usually about 2 feet tall. They’re ideal for raised garden beds or areas where space is limited.

Bush beans tend to grow faster than pole beans, and their harvest season lasts around 3-4 weeks. If you love the idea of one big harvest to freeze or can, bush beans are a great option.

Fun Fact: Green beans are sometimes called “string beans” because older varieties had a tough string running along the pod that had to be removed before eating. Modern varieties, though, are stringless—making them much easier to prepare.

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How Many Seeds to Plant

If you’re planning to grow beans for fresh eating, canning, or freezing, you’ll want to plant enough to get a good harvest. A good rule of thumb is to plan for 5 to 10 bush bean plants per person in your household or 3 to 5 pole bean plants per person.

SLCG PRO TIP: Keep track of how many plants you started with and the harvest you got. This way, you’ll know if you need to plant more (or less) next year to meet your needs.

Seeds or Plants

When it comes to beans, there’s no need to start seeds indoors. They grow quickly and sprout easily when planted directly in the ground, so jump-starting their growing time isn’t necessary. Plus, transplanting can damage their roots.

What You Need to Grow Beans

Before you start planting, it’s important to pick the type of beans you want to grow. Some beans, like pole beans, will need a support system like a trellis, so plan ahead.

Here is a quick overview of what you need to plant and grow beans.

• When to Plant – Wait until the danger of frost has passed before planting. Soil temperatures should also be at least 50°F for the seeds to germinate.
• Sun – Beans thrive with 6–8 hours of full sun each day, which helps them grow strong and productive.
• Soil – Make sure your soil is slightly acidic with a pH between 6 and 7. Beans also prefer well-draining, fertile soil, so consider adding compost for an extra nutrient boost.
• Location – Pick a location that provides plenty of space for your beans to grow. Keep in mind that pole beans will need vertical space, while bush beans do fine in smaller areas.
• Support – As mentioned, pole beans will need some type of support for their vines to climb. This can be a trellis, teepee, or even a nearby fence.

How to Grow Beans For Beginners

Beans are a warm-season crop and grow quickly, they’ll mature and be ready to harvest in about 2 months or less. A single plant will produce about 120 beans during the entire growing season. Bean plants are pretty foolproof, once planted, the majority of the seeds will sprout, and there’s no need to thin them out as long as you have them planted with enough distance between them.

#1. Temperature

Beans are a warm season crop and don’t handle cold temperatures well so be sure to plant them after the last frost of the season. Because they grow and mature quickly, you won’t need to worry about planning around the weather for a long growing season.

Be sure your soil has reached at least 60 degrees before planting; you can easily test that with a soil thermometer or wait until you’ve had several warm days.

#2. Sun

Bean plants require full sun in order to produce their biggest harvest. Keeping that in mind, you will want to plant in an area that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight most days. You can determine the best spot ahead of time by keeping a sun journal and noting the number of hours various areas of your garden receive each day.

#3. Soil

Your soil’s pH level is very important to a healthy, hearty crop. Bean plants prefer acidic soil, with a pH between 6 and 7. Use a soil pH tester to determine your soil’s pH level before planting.

About two weeks before planting, prepare the soil by loosening it about 7-8 inches deep and breaking up any clumps of soil with your hands. This will also help your soil warm up faster after the last frost so that you can plant sooner.

#4. Watering

Bean plants need about an inch of water each week. It’s important to water near the base of the plant and avoid splashing soil onto the leaves as this can lead to soil-borne diseases.

Sticking your index finger into the soil about an inch deep is the best way to determine if the plants need watering. If the soil is moist, there’s no need to water. But if the soil is dry, your bean plants need a steady and good watering.

#5. Fertilizing

Bean plants are light feeders and don’t require much fertilizer. You can easily give them all the nutrients they need by mixing a light fertilizer into the top couple of inches of soil when you plant your seeds. There’s no need to fertilize again during the remainder of the growing season.

#6. Support

If you’re going to plant pole beans, you’ll need to make or purchase some support system, such as a trellis, fence, or bean tower. A simple DIY option is tying sticks together in a teepee shape, or you could even repurpose an old piece of metal fencing. Whatever you choose, your beans will love the extra support.

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How to Plant Beans

To give your bean seeds a head start, soak them in a shallow bowl of warm water overnight. This can help them sprout faster once planted. When you’re ready to plant, just drain the water, and you’re good to go.

Spacing – How you space your seeds depends on the type of beans you’re growing:

• Bush Beans – Plant seeds 2–4 inches apart, with rows spaced 2–3 feet apart.
• Pole Beans – You can plant seeds in rows or small hills. Space them 6–10 inches apart, with rows 3–4 feet apart. And don’t forget to set up a support system like a trellis or teepee for climbing varieties!

Depth – You don’t need to plant your bean seeds very deep. About ½–1 inch is plenty. After planting, cover the soil with a light layer of sand, compost, or mulch. This helps keep the soil healthy and prevents crusting.

Get tips on how to use mulch to grow a healthier, self-sufficient garden.

Pests and Diseases to Watch For

Protecting Your Bean Plants

Your bean plants might attract a few unwanted guests, but with a little effort, you can keep them safe and thriving.

Watch Out for Bean Leaf Beetles

Bean leaf beetles have a taste for young bean seedlings. To prevent an infestation, try laying garden fabric over your plants to keep them out. If you only spot a few beetles, pick them off by hand and drop them into a jar of soapy water to manage the population without harsh chemicals.

Keeping Deer and Rabbits at Bay

Deer and rabbits, though adorable, can cause serious damage to your garden. Here’s how to keep them at a safe distance while staying friendly with your wild neighbors:

• Put up a fence. A wire fence around your garden is one of the best ways to keep them out.
• Protect specific plants. Not ready for a whole garden fence? Try placing wire cylinders or mesh toppers around the plants that seem most tempting to deer and rabbits.
• Use natural deterrents. Check out your local garden center for animal-safe products to gently deter deer and rabbits without harming them.
• Plant what they avoid. Mixing in deer- and rabbit-resistant plants can make your garden less appealing and reduce unwanted visits.

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When to Harvest Beans

The fruits of a bean plant will start to split open at maturity. The pods can be left on the plant a bit longer to fully dry if you’d like. You can handpick bean pods and allow the plant to continue producing or you can cut the whole plant at the base.

Not all plants will mature at exactly the same time so it’s best to handpick them as they mature then check back daily for new, fully matured beans.

To dry your beans, simply leave them on the plant to fully mature. The pods and beans inside will become dry. Just remember that you’ll need to cook dry beans longer to soften them again.

Once the plants stop producing, you can cut the whole plant down and add it to your compost pile. If you planted in the ground, pack your soil and look for a new planting spot for the next year. If you planted in a raised bed, dump the soil and prepare it for a fresh planting.

How to Store Beans

To keep your beans fresh, store them in a cool, dark, and dry spot. Use an airtight container to lock out humidity and moisture. If your beans are dried, they’ll last at least a year—sometimes even longer.

Beans are also perfect for canning, freezing, or pickling. These methods make it easy to enjoy your harvest year-round and save you time in the kitchen since you won’t have to soak them before cooking.

Bean Growing Tips

You can expect bush beans to mature in about 50-55 days and pole beans in about 60 days. After that time they’re ready to harvest and enjoy. There are a few things you can do during the growing season to encourage a healthy and hearty harvest.

• Don’t plant seeds in wet soil; it can lead to seed rot before they have a chance to sprout.
• Bush beans grow best in a raised bed garden. If you’re able to provide that option, it will allow you to replant in the same area year after year.
• Once your bean plants start to mature, harvest them often and remove any overripe beans. This will help the plants produce longer.
• Bush beans will eventually stop producing. When this happens, remove the entire plant; it can be added to your compost pile. Pole beans will continue to produce until the first frost kills the plant.
• Pests and diseases can live in the soil for years so plant your bean plants in a different area each year to prevent them from attack. If you’re planting in a raised bed, be sure to remove all the soil after the growing season and clean out the bed before planting again. This will help prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
• Don’t plant beans near chives, leeks, garlic, and onions. They exude an antibacterial that kills off the bacteria in the bean plant roots and keeps them from absorbing nitrogen. Pole beans shouldn’t be planted near beets, kale, broccoli, cabbage, or cauliflower.
• Bacterial diseases can affect the growth of bean plants. These include common blight, southern blight, wilt, and brown spots. Leaves will look wilted or blotchy and pods will be shriveled. This can be avoided by not planting in the same area for a few years or placing fresh soil in a raised bed.

Can you grow beans in containers?

Yes, you can definitely grow beans in containers. It’s a great option if you don’t have much garden space or prefer a more compact setup. To get started, choose a pot or grow bag that’s at least 12 inches deep and has good drainage holes. Bush beans are often the better choice for container gardening since they don’t require as much vertical space, but if you prefer pole beans, just make sure to add a trellis or some kind of support for them to climb.

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When it comes to soil, a well-draining potting mix with some compost mixed in works perfectly. Beans in containers will need regular watering because the soil tends to dry out faster than in-ground gardens. Keep an eye on the moisture level and water whenever the top layer feels dry. And don’t forget that beans love sunlight, so place your container where it can soak up at least six to eight hours of direct sun each day.

With the right setup and a little care, your container-grown beans will thrive and provide you with a fresh harvest, even from a small space like a balcony or patio.

Beans are one of the easiest plants to grow, which makes them a fantastic option for beginner gardeners. If you’re working with limited space, pole beans are a great choice since they grow vertically and take up less room than bush beans. Plus, beans are packed with nutrients and fiber, making them a healthy addition to any family’s meals.

With all the delicious ways to prepare them, you’ll have no trouble enjoying your fresh harvest week after week. Keep this guide on how to grow beans for beginners bookmarked so you can refer to it anytime you want to add this healthy plant to your backyard setup.

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