What are essential bean-growing tips?

To master beans, you must adopt five practices I have developed over the years to turn struggling plants into prodigious producers. Your success will depend on your mastery of the land, water, and other such treatments. Get them right, and you will have an abundance of pods to pick.

Mulch correctly to prevent stem rot of your plants. Leave 5-8 cm of space around the base of each plant and use straw or shredded leaves to allow air to circulate around them. I like to mulch with 7 cm of compost when the soil is warm. This will reduce weed problems by 80%, and the roots will remain cool during the hot spells.

Fertilize sparingly, as beans can fix their own nitrogen. Otherwise, you will have a very leafy plant and few pods. Use a balanced 5-10-10 formula at planting time. For established plants, use compost tea every three weeks. Stop fertilizing them when they begin to flower.

Plant strategically to receive maximum sunlight. Use north-south row orientation for better uniformity in sunlight exposure. Prune back any plants that are shading the bean plants. Use reflective foil on the ground under the bean plants to increase light intensity by 20%. This method significantly increases the number of beans produced in pods.

Harvest for continuous yield. Beans can be harvested as soon as the pods snap off easily. Pick with scissors to avoid injuring the plant. Pick bush types every other day, pole types daily. Regular picking encourages flowers and prolongs the season.

Read the full article: When to Plant Beans for a Bountiful Harvest