How long until bean harvest?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.When to pick beans. Bush beans usually mature sooner than pole beans. I have recorded 50 days on the earliest planted beans, when every care was taken. Much depends on your latitude and on how you grow. I can offer you a hint in this book that may save your crop from being picked too early or too late.
Soil Optimization
- Pre-warm soil with black plastic 2 weeks pre-planting
- Maintain 18-24°C (65-75°F) root zone temperature
- Apply phosphorus-rich starter fertilizer at planting
Environmental Control
- Use row covers during cool spring nights
- Position plants for maximum southern sun exposure
- Employ drip irrigation for consistent moisture
Count not from planting, but from germination. Bush beans are ready for harvesting when the pods snap off cleanly; pole varieties, on the other hand, produce continuously and must be checked nearly every day. I go through them every morning when they are at their best. In cool climates, it will take from ten to fourteen days longer than the usual number given in the seed lists. Make a note of the date of your first bloom each year, as harvest follows two or three weeks after.
To recognise harvesting signs, look for firm pods that visibly bulge with beans. Length readily varies from one variety to another, but most bean pods measure approximately 10 to 15 cm in length when ready. Don't wait for pods to turn yellow; this means they are past their prime. Use scissors to clip the stem, being careful not to damage it.
Prolong your harvest by sowing bush beans every 2 weeks until midsummer. This gives you rolling harvests. For pole beans, pick regularly to stimulate new flowers. I have successfully produced mine for 10 weeks using this method. Pods frequently attain superior flavor and texture in cool fall weather.
Read the full article: When to Plant Beans for a Bountiful Harvest
