Beans are also an excellent choice for new gardeners as a starter crop. They forgive various mistakes and produce results in short order; I taught several people who grew pounds of beans, pounds!, their first season. They require virtually no special maintenance and grow so quickly that they instill confidence sooner than cumbersome crops like carrots and cauliflowers.
Planting. You have some simple steps to follow: Don't plant until the soil is 12° C (54°) and the chance of frost has faded. Make a shallow furrow in loose soil and drop in the seeds 2.5 cm (1 inch) deep. Place bush beans 15cm (6 inches) apart. Water very lightly but well, and watch for germination in a week or so.
Water Management
- Provide 2.5 cm (1 inch) water weekly
- Use drip irrigation to avoid leaf diseases
- Check soil moisture at 5 cm (2 inch) depth
Pest Prevention
- Plant marigolds nearby to deter beetles
- Handpick pests like bean leaf beetles
- Use floating row covers early in season
Harvest frequently to increase your production. Pick bush beans every 2-3 days as soon as the pods feel firm to the touch. If you are growing pole beans, check them daily for signs of disease or pests. Keep a pair of scissors handy to avoid damaging the plant when harvesting. Regularly picking tells the plant to make more pods, and this can extend your harvests for weeks at a time.
Common new gardener mistakes to avoid. All beans hate soggy soil. That's going to cause them to rot. Never use nitrogen fertilizers. Beans make their own. You'll want to provide support for pole beans. I've seen plants collapse days before harvest.
Read the full article: When to Plant Beans for a Bountiful Harvest
