Navy beans are a versatile, nutritious and easy-to-grow bean variety perfect for any home garden Also known as pea beans or Yankee beans, navy beans are packed with fiber, protein, iron, magnesium and other vital nutrients Their mild flavor allows them to be used in a wide range of recipes. Follow this complete guide to learn how to successfully grow navy beans.
Choosing the Best Location
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Navy beans need full sun exposure. Choose a location that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
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Well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic pH between 6.0-7.0 is ideal. Avoid soggy, compacted sites.
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Pick a spot sheltered from strong winds which can damage bean plants
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Consider grouping navy beans with taller vegetables that can provide some shade on extremely hot afternoons.
When to Plant Navy Beans
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Navy beans are highly sensitive to cold and frost. Wait until after the final spring frost to sow seeds.
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Optimal soil temperature for germination is at least 65°F. Use a soil thermometer to check.
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In most regions, navy beans can be planted in late spring once overnight temps stay above 50°F.
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Successive plantings every 2 weeks can extend harvests. Stop planting 8-10 weeks before your first fall frost date.
Preparing the Soil
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Improve drainage by mixing in several inches of compost or other organic matter.
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Adjust pH between 6.0-7.0 using lime if soil is too acidic.
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One week before planting, till soil to remove weeds and break up large clumps.
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Just before sowing, rake surface smooth for consistent depth and good seed-to-soil contact.
Planting Navy Bean Seeds
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Direct sow seeds 1-1.5 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart in rows.
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Row spacing of 24-36 inches allows room for plants to grow.
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To aid germination, presoak seeds in compost tea for 15-25 minutes before planting.
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Plant 2-3 seeds together in groups spaced as above, and thin later.
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Cover seeds lightly with fine soil and water gently to settle soil.
Caring for Navy Bean Plants
Watering
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Keep soil consistently moist 1-2 inches down. Avoid overwatering.
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Plants need about 1 inch of water per week from rain or irrigation.
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Water at soil level rather than overhead to prevent foliar diseases.
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Drought stress during flowering can cause flower and pod drop.
Weeding
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Mulch around plants with straw or leaves to prevent weeds.
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Carefully hand pull weeds, avoiding damage to bean plant roots.
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Hoe shallowly to remove small weeds, but not close to plant stems.
Supporting Vines
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Most navy bean varieties are bush types, not vining. But some may need trellising.
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Install poles, cages, netting or fences soon after planting for vines to climb.
Fertilizing
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Beans are legumes that fix their own nitrogen from soil. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer.
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Light side dressing with a balanced organic fertilizer after flowering is beneficial.
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Compost and manure worked into soil before planting provides nutrients.
Frost Protection
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Use floating row covers, tunnels, etc. if spring frosts threaten after seedlings emerge.
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Avoid overhead watering when frost risk is present to limit ice damage.
Pest Management
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Monitor for aphids, bean beetles and other pests. Remove by hand or use insecticidal soap.
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Row covers can exclude some pests and prevent insect-spread diseases.
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Attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings to control pests.
Disease Prevention
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Improve airflow and avoid excessive moisture on foliage.
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Rotate navy bean location each year to reduce disease risks.
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Remove any diseased plants immediately to prevent spreading spores.
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Choose resistant varieties when available.
Harvesting Navy Beans
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Begin checking plants daily about 16-18 weeks after planting.
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Pods are ready when they are full sized, plump and firm with visible bean shape.
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Pick pods before they yellow, dry out or develop spots. Overripe pods are tough.
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Snap off pods carefully to avoid uprooting entire plant.
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For continual harvest, keep picking as pods reach desired stage.
Drying and Storing Navy Beans
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Spread freshly picked pods out in single layer to dry for 1-2 weeks.
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Turn pods regularly to evenly dry all sides. Discard any moldy pods.
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When fully dried, shell beans by hand or with bean sheller machine.
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Discard damaged/defective beans, debris. Place dried beans in airtight containers.
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Store in cool (below 60°F), dark place for 6-12 months. Check periodically for moisture.
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Refrigeration can extend shelf life for up to 3 years if beans stay completely dry.
With the right growing conditions and care, it is easy to produce an abundant harvest of navy beans. Follow this growing guide for optimal results. Enjoy their fresh flavor or keep a stash of your homegrown dried navy beans to use in recipes all year round!
Common Navy Bean Growing Problems and Solutions
Problem | Cause | Solution
Suitable areas for production
Navy beans require high temperatures for optimum plant development and early harvesting. If the average low temperature in June is above 10°C and the average amount of rain in September is below 75 mm, this is most likely to happen in parts of England.
In warmer parts of the country, like the south coast from Bournemouth to Eastbourne, most of the low-lying parts of Kent, and parts of Surrey, Essex, and Suffolk, the crop will do best. Some places in southern England might be good if the average lowest temperature in June is above 10°C and the average amount of rain in September is less than 75 mm.
Navy beans are susceptible to frost and it is important that average soil temperature exceeds 10°C. This is usually from the beginning of May. Sowings made after 25th May can suffer from delayed harvest and reduced yields. Warm temperatures are required for optimum growth and harvesting is often not until late September/October.
Phaseolus beans are sensitive to soil conditions and should be grown in loamy, well-textured soils with a lot of organic matter. Over-consolidation and capping must be avoided.
The seed should be sown 2. 5 – 4 cm deep but it is important that it is sown into moist soil. Bean seed is fragile and seed damage by drills should be avoided. Precision sowing with belt-feed or pneumatic drills is ideal. The soil surface should be as level as possible to facilitate ease of harvest. Rolling is helpful and depresses stones.
Online Pulse Agronomy Guide
Navy beans, also called haricot beans, are mostly imported and used to make baked beans and fresh beans for sale. They are the same species as green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and are grown in many of the same ways.
When it comes to planting, navy beans should be put in the same rotation as other big-seeded legumes like peas, field beans, lupins, and dwarf green beans. These crops shouldn’t be grown in the same field more than once every five years.
Like green bean seed, navy beans are very fragile and must always be handled gently. The use of high quality seed will help ensure an optimum population of healthy seedlings.
Rhizobium phaseoli, which divide and fix nitrogen for phaseolus beans, is not found in most soils in the UK, so an inoculant is suggested.
In addition, an application of nitrogen fertiliser may be needed. Phaseolus beans respond well to nitrogen, but not so well to phosphates. Their response to potash is also not always the same.
The table below gives fertiliser recommendations:
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SNS, P, K or Mg Index |
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0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
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Nitrogen (N) all soil types [kg/ha] |
180 |
150 |
120 |
80 |
30 |
0 1 |
|
Phosphate (P205) [kg/ha] |
200 |
150 |
100 |
50 |
0 |
0 |
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Potash (K20) [kg/ha] |
200 |
150 |
100(2-) 50(2+) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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Magnesium (as Mg0) [kg/ha] |
100 |
50 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Source: AHDB Nutrient Management Guide RB209.
Note: 1. There may be a need for a small amount of nitrogen if the nitrogen level in the top 30 cm of soil is low. Deduct nutrients applied as organic manures.
The whole amount of fertilizer should usually be used as a base dressing, since tests have shown that splitting it between a base dressing and a top dressing doesn’t help. If a crop shows signs of nitrogen deficiency during growth, though, you might want to use a top dressing. 25 kg/ha may be best if you know that rain or irrigation will get the nitrogen to the roots. So, 25 kg/ha could be used during flowering, and the nitrogen level in the base fertilizer would go down.
How to grow Navy Beans in raised bed #raisedgardenbeds #cc #gardening
FAQ
How long does it take for navy beans to grow?
How many beans do you get from one plant?
Do navy beans come from green beans?
How do you know when navy beans are ready to harvest?
Can you grow navy beans from store-bought beans?
Dried, store-bought beans can also be used for growing navy beans. Just pick out the largest, healthiest looking seeds. Navy beans are harvested after the pods have dried on the plant. Navy bean plants grow up to 2 feet (61 cm.) in height as bush beans. They take between 85 and 100 days from planting to harvest.
How to grow navy bean plants?
Preparing the soil is a crucial step in growing healthy navy bean plants. Here’s what you need to know: Well-Draining Soil: Navy beans dislike waterlogged roots. Ensure your soil has good drainage to prevent standing water, which can lead to root rot. Raised beds can be an excellent option if your soil doesn’t naturally drain well.
How do you grow navy bean seeds?
Soak the navy bean seed in compost tea for 25 minutes before planting. It helps prevent diseases and speeds up germination. Plant the seeds about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 4 cm) deep in the soil. Remember that most bean varieties germinate poorly at soil temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius).