How to plant:
Propagate by seed - Do not start seeds inside. Beans do not like to be transplanted.
Germination temperature: 70 F to 80 F - Germination is slow and poor when soil temperatures are below 60 F.
Days to emergence: 8 to 10 - Germination may take two weeks or more if soil temperatures are below 60 F.
See AlsoHow to Speed up Seed GerminationExplain how you sprout seeds.How to Grow Sprouts QuicklySprouting Dried Beans From the Grocery Store + Helpful TipsSeed can be saved 5 years.
Maintenance and care:
Do not plant until danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed.Germination is poor when soil temperature is below 60 F. Cold airtemperatures (even above freezing) can injure plants and reduce yields.Plant seed one inch deep (deeper if soil is dry), about 2 inches apart, in rows 18 to 36 inches apart.
Soaking beans to hasten germination may damage seeds. Do not start seed inside.
For a steady supply of beans, make successive plantings until mid- to late July.
Relay-crop beans following harvest of cool-season crops, such as lettuce, spinach and peas.
See AlsoSoaking | SproutpeopleBeansrequire even moisture - about 1 inch per week - especially whenflowering and developing pods. If you water, avoid wetting foliage,which encourages disease. Water early in the day so foliage driesquickly. Mulch after second set of true leaves develops to help retainmoisture.
Do not use nitrogen fertilizers. Inoculating seed withrhizobium bacteria may increase yields, especially in soils where beanshave not been grown before.
Pod set is often poor when temperatures exceed 90 F.
Deformed pods may be the result of lack of moisture, poor soil fertility or insect damage during blooming.
A three-year rotation helps reduce some diseases.
Pests:
Mexican bean beetles - Handpick and destroy beetles and eggs in smallplantings. Plant early to avoid this pest. Turn under any infestedplants after harvest.Aphids- A hard stream of water can be used to remove aphids from plants. Washoff with water occasionally as needed early in the day. Check forevidence of natural enemies such as gray-brown or bloated parasitizedaphids and the presence of alligator-like larvae of lady beetles andlacewings.
Leafhoppers - Small, light green to gray wedge-shapedinsects that suck plant juices, causing stunting, and carrying virusdiseases. No cultural control available.
Seedcorn maggot - Avoidheavy manure or organic matter in garden which attract maggot flies andencourages egg laying. Purchase insecticide-treated seed. Use gloves toplant.
Spider mites (two-spotted) - Wash off with wateroccasionally as needed early in the day. A hard stream of water can beused to remove many mites from plants.
Diseases:
To reduce disease spread, do not work among wet plants.Bacterialblights - Avoid wetting foliage if possible. Water early in the day soaboveground plant parts will dry as quickly as possible. Avoid crowdingplants. Space apart to allow air circulation. Eliminate weeds aroundplants and garden area to improve air circulation. Do not save your ownseed.
Bean common mosaic virus (BV-1 and NY 15) - Remove anddiscard or destroy entire infested plant. Use resistant varieties:Lancer, Provider,Blue Bush 274, Golden Butterwax, Royal Burgundy,Tendercrop, Improved Tendergreen. Manage insect vectors.
Whitemold - Avoid wetting foliage if possible. Water early in the day soaboveground plant parts will dry as quickly as possible. Avoid crowdingplants. Space apart to allow air circulation. Eliminate weeds aroundplants and garden area to improve air circulation. In autumn rake anddispose of all fallen or diseased leaves and fruit. Crop rotation isessential.
