Crop Stats
| Crop Common Name | Bush Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) |
| Plant Family | Legume |
| Weeks to Maturity | 8 |
| Seasonality | Summer |
| Water needs | Damp, but not moist |
| Light needs | High |
| Mature size | 2-3 meters |
Bush bean description
A leguminous plant native to South America. They produce edible shoots, flowers, and pods that vary in size between species. These plants are a non-climbing legume variety and tend to reach harvest maturity earlier. As legumes, bush beans help fix nitrogen into the soil via nitrifying bacteria, forming nodules on the roots.
How to germinate bush bean seeds?
Bush beans need moisture to germinate. Submerge bean seeds in water for faster germination, but do not soak for too long. Directly sown bean seeds will tend to be hardier and only need to be planted about an inch deep. Beans germinated indoors and will need to be hardened off.
Beansprouts transplant very well, as long as the roots are not overly disturbed or left to dry. I have personally had much success transplanting groups of beans in pots. There is no exact recommended depth to plant transplants; just try not to bury the sprout’s leaves.
Best season to grow bush beans?
Bush beans are a warm-season crop. It is best to sow bush beans when the soil temperatures are above 15°C (60°F). Excessively hot temperatures will stress out the plant and decrease the yield, so keep the soil moist and full of organic matter to help beat the heat.
Bush Bean care guide.
Watering:
Bush beans are not particularly water needy. One deep watering should keep the plant healthy as long as there is no chance of frost. More water might be necessary during hotter times of the year.
Keep the soil moist but allow the top inch to dry out between each watering. If unsure, check the soil’s water saturation by dipping your finger into the earth about one inch deep.
Caution: The leaves are especially vulnerable to fungal diseases. Avoid watering the leaves by aiming the water closer to the ground.
Fertilizing:
Ideally, a balanced fertilizer, like compost, is best. Good compost has a neutral to slightly acidic pH and is good to directly apply around the rootzone of your bush bean plant. Beneficial microbes from the compost will work their way down to the plant’s roots and enhance the legume’s natural nitrifying abilities.
Bean plants benefit from fertilizer, but avoid fertilizers with high nitrogen content. Overfertilizing with nitrogen causes many plants to produce more leaves than fruit, and your yield may suffer.
Disease:
Fungal diseases may show up on leaves that are either in direct contact with the soil or on leaves that are kept too wet for too long. To keep diseases from running rampant, immediately remove any leaves that appear spotty and yellow.
Bush bean plants are also susceptible to insects. Aphids, slugs, and beetles are common bush bean pests. Aphids are easily kept at bay with a strong blast of water. Slugs and beetles can be deterred using a preventative treatment of compost extract. To spray over the plant every few weeks.
Harvesting and storing Bush Beans
There are two ways to harvest beans from this plant. First, the “string bean” phase produces long tend pods for slicing and cooking. Get to those pods before they mature too much, and string beans can be harvested continuously every several days.
Next, the bean phase happens when bean pods are left on the plant to fully mature and dry. This phase happens at the end of the plant’s lifecycle. By now, the dried pods should easily snap off, but be ready with a bucket to catch any beans that break free.
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