When To Plant Bush Beans

When to plant bush beans is what we will be looking into in this post. The green beans belong to the family of species called Phaseolus vulgaris that is also known as “common beans”. The many types of green beans have two different ways of growing which are “bush” or “pole.”

It’s the style of growth that distinguishes bush beans from pole beans. In this article, when to plant bush beans will be discussed extensively.

Bush beans are the type of bean crop that a beginning gardener can grow for a first-time trial. It is so because it is easier to grow. It is easier to maintain because it doesn’t require trellising.

The best time to start planting bush beans is during early spring which is after the last frost date in your area. This is because bush beans are warm-season crops. They thrive well under full sun.

Let’s take a further look into the step-by-step process of sowing. When to plant bush beans is also discussed here.

Bush Beans Plant

As their name implies, bush beans grow in a bush way, usually up to 2 feet tall. They don’t take up much space to grow. Bush beans plant doesn’t need trellis support to grow.

That is why bush beans are one of the best bean crops for beginning gardeners to try out. The most common bush bean varieties are contender, burgundy, and blue lake.

Plant only during the right season which is after the last spring frost date. Planting when the temperature is lower and when the soil is moist will cause the seeds not to germinate. This will eventually cause the seeds to rot.

Planting Bush Beans: When To Plant Bush Beans

The best time to begin planting bush beans is when the ambient and soil temperature is between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. So. begin planting once the temperature and planting conditions are favorable.

Also bear in mind the variety and the time it will take for the fruits to mature. Given that the last plantation produces fruits and matures before the first date of frost. But the bush beans take up to 50 to 55 days to produce.

So, to plant bush beans:

1. Choose a Right Spot – Choose a spot in your garden that faces direct sunlight for at least 6 to 7 hours daily. Bush beans thrive well under full sunlight.
2. Prepare to Start Planting in your Garden – Make sure the soil is rich in loam and organic matter. The soil should be like a shaft and not compacted. This will encourage draining and aeration.
3. Sow the Seeds – For planting in the same spot, plant the seeds one inch deep into the soil. Give them space of 3 inches apart. Also, give about 18 inches of space in the case of planting more rows. This gives the plant enough space to grow well. Don’t compact the soil when covering the seed. Cover the seed with soil lightly.

4. Water the Seeds – After planting, water your planted seeds lightly. This will help nourish your seed and give it a head start for growth.
5. Thinning the Plants – Thin your plants once you see at least two leaves sprout. Use garden shears to thin them. Endeavor to make sure each of the plants is 6 inches apart. Then watch your bean grow.

Growing Bush Beans: Tips To Successful Growth

Below are tips to grow your bush beans successfully;

·         Weeding – When To Plant Bush Beans

Don’t give weed any chance around your bush beans. Do this by removing weeds growing around your bush beans immediately you see any. Control weeds around your bush beans by putting mulch on the soil around the plant.

Adding mulch to the soil also helps to retain moisture in the soil. Remember the roots are shallow but mulch helps to keep them cool.

·         Watering

Growing bush beans requires keeping the soil moist evenly. Bush beans will stop flowering if you don’t water them when necessary. Water the plants with two to three inches of water every week.

Don’t sprinkle water on the leaves but rather water the plants at the base of your plants that have been infected with powdery mildew. It is also advisable to water you’re soil early in the morning. The sun will dry out the soil before it gets cooler at night.

Raindrip R560DP Automatic Watering Kit for Container and Hanging Baskets

·         Don’t Use Nitrogen Fertilizers

Nitrogen-rich fertilizers are a no-no for bush beans. This is because bush beans add nitrogen from the air to the soil naturally. Using nitrogen-rich fertilizer will only make your plants grow more leaves and lesser bean pods.

·         Avoid Pests

Avoid pests around your bush beans by picking the insects when you see any. Spraying them with a hose is also another alternative.

Many types of pests target bush beans a lot. These are pests like Mexican bean beetles, aphids, and spider mites. Use non-abrasive pesticides like insecticidal soaps if the pests keep coming.

How Late Can You Plant Bush Beans

Actually, bush beans are one of the best types of green beans to plant if you’re considering planting beans late. The green beans stand as the best choice for late planting. This is because the green beans have varieties with a short maturity date.

Bush beans can be planted in midsummer with a good harvest, depending on the date to maturity chosen. Also, put into consideration the declining amount of sunlight on a daily as it gets to fall.

There are usually no issues of shorter days during mid-summer. But as the late planting season progresses, the day length starts to retrogress. Ideally, it takes 75 days till the first real threat of frost in your zone to have a successful late planting of beans.

Also, there are a lot of bush beans varieties that will mature around 60 days. Really tasty ones actually. Just make sure, according to the variety, you choose a date that is based on the average first frost date in your zone for your late planting.

Can You Plant Bush Beans In Winter?

From the above, we can answer the question of if you can plant bush beans in winter. Bearing in mind that bush beans are warm-season crops and cold-sensitive. Bush beans rarely germinate as quickly expected during temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

In most cases during frost, the bush bean seeds will rot before getting any chance to germinate.

Do You Soak Bush Beans Before Planting?

Lastly, you might have this question in mind “Do you soak bush beans before planting?”  No, it’s not ideal to soak bush beans before planting them.

It ruins their chances of germination because the seeds get starved of oxygen while being soaked in water. This damages the embryos of the seeds.

Conclusion On When To Plant Bush Beans

When to plant bush beans has been discussed in this article and we hope this information has helped enlighten you about this.

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