Snap beans, which are also known as “green beans” or “string beans” (though most modern varieties don’t have strings), are picked when the pods still have immature seeds inside them and are still tasty.
Types: Snap beans come in pink, purple, or yellow (wax beans) pods, and they can be either round or flat (romano).
Growth Habits: Bean growth habits include bush beans, pole beans, and half-runners (shorter than pole beans). Pole beans are twining vines growing up to six feet and sometimes taller that must be supported. Bush beans tend to make all of their pods within one to three weeks, while pole beans flower all season and keep making new pods.
It has been found in Egyptian tombs and the Old Testament that people grew and ate beans.
If you want to plant the seed, do it right in the garden when the soil is warm and there is no longer any risk of frost. Choose a site within the garden that did not have beans growing in it the previous year. Plant about 1-inch deep and 2-to-4 inches apart within the row for bush beans. In drier areas of the state, they may be planted in double-rows with the rows 6 inches apart. Pole beans should be planted 4 to 6 inches apart, or 4 to 6 seeds should be spread out in hills 3 feet apart. The plant should be given a trellis to grow on. If you haven’t grown beans in a while, adding a Rhizobium inoculant to the seed can help it grow better.
Timeline: Plant beans after the chance of frost has passed (Figure 2). Days to harvest range from 50 to 70 days.
Trellising: Pole bean supports should be put in place at planting time. Use six-foot stakes and twine to make a simple trellis, or use bamboo poles or long branches to make a teepee. Plant seeds in a row in front of the trellis, or in a circle around a teepee trellis.
When you water, make sure the soil is damp but not soaked. Let the top inch or so of soil dry out between applications. On average beans will require about 1 inch of water per week. To get the best yield and well-shaped pods, make sure the beans stay moist during and after bloom.
Weeding: Frequent, shallow cultivation will kill weeds before they become a problem. Beans have shallow roots, so do not hoe deeply.
Snap beans can be picked at any point during the pod formation process, as long as the shape of the individual seeds inside can be seen, which makes the pods swell. After this stage, the pods are typically less juicy and more fibrous. But the pods can still be picked at this point and the soft, fresh bean seeds can be used. Pick beans after the dew is off the plants, and they are thoroughly dry. Picking beans from wet plants can spread bean bacterial blight, a disease that seriously damages the plants. Be careful not to break the stems or branches, which are brittle on most bean varieties. After the last harvest, remove all plants from the garden, to decrease future disease problems.
Storage: Store beans in a relatively cool and humid place, ideally with temperatures around 45°F. They can tolerate a few days in the refrigerator, but then will develop watersoaked spots or browning.
Green beans taste great when they are lightly blanched, which means they are cooked just long enough for the color to turn dark. For more details see our Pick it! Try it! Like it! resource for green beans.
Food facts: It’s low in fat, high in fiber, high in protein, and low in calories.
It can be very rewarding to harvest and save seed of ornamental and vegetable plants. When we plant the seed we saved, though, sometimes the plants that grow don’t look much like the ones we got the seed from.
Brassica crops are a diverse group of plants widely cultivated for their nutritional value and versatility in agriculture. Understanding their relationship with beneficial and detrimental insects is crucial for maintaining healthy crops and productive harvests.
When to plant warm-season vegetables in South Dakota can be hard to figure out because the weather changes so quickly each spring. Learn some expert tips for getting started!.
Green beans are a favorite summer vegetable for many gardeners. Their productivity, ease of growth, and great taste make them a staple in most home gardens. As summer transitions into fall, you may be wondering how late you can continue planting green beans to extend your harvest into the autumn months. With some strategic late-summer and early fall plantings, it is possible to grow delicious green beans well into the fall season.
When is the Last Planting Date for Green Beans?
Green beans are warm weather crops that require soil temperatures above 60°F to germinate properly. They grow best when temperatures are in the 70s F during the day and 60s F at night. Green beans are sensitive to frost and hard freezes which can damage plants and ruin developing bean pods. So the limiting factor for green bean plantings is the first expected autumn frost in your area.
Most gardeners recommend planting your last green beans around 6-8 weeks before your average first fall frost date. This will give the beans enough warm growing days to mature and produce pods before cold weather sets in. In areas with long growing seasons you may be able to plant even later up to 4 weeks before the first frost. Check your local frost dates and adjust your last planting accordingly.
Here are some general guidelines for how late to plant green beans based on your climate
- Northern zones – Early to mid August
- Midwestern zones – Mid to late August
- Southern zones – Early September
- Far southern zones – Mid September
Pay close attention to long range weather forecasts when deciding on late plantings. An early cold snap or stretch of cool rainy weather can impact plants, so be prepared to protect beans with row covers if needed.
Choosing Green Bean Varieties for Late Planting
For late summer and fall plantings, choose faster maturing bush or pole bean varieties Look for words like “early” or a maturity date around 50-60 days Some good choices include
- Bush beans: Provider, Contender, Bush Romano, Top Crop
- Pole beans: Blue Lake, Kentucky Wonder, Yukon Gold
Avoid long season varieties that need 70+ days to mature. They likely won’t have time to fully develop before cold weather arrives.
Bush style beans tend to mature faster and produce higher yields in the limited time before frost. But pole beans can also work well for fall plantings, producing later into the season if trellised.
Growing Tips for Late Planted Green Beans
Follow good cultural practices when planting green beans in late summer and fall:
-
Plant in fertile soil – Beans are heavy feeders, so incorporate compost or organic fertilizer into soil before planting. Do a soil test to see if any nutrients are lacking.
-
Space properly – Sow seeds 2-4 inches apart in rows 18-36 inches apart. Thinner plantings mature faster in cooler weather.
-
Use supports – Trellising or caging bush beans helps improve air circulation and pod formation.
-
Water regularly – Don’t let soil dry out completely. Water deeply 2-3 times per week if rain is lacking.
-
Use season extenders – Protect plants with cloches, low tunnels, or row covers to keep warm if nights get cool.
-
Weed and mulch – Prevent weed competition and retain moisture by applying 2-3 inches of mulch after plants emerge. Grass clippings or straw work well.
-
Check for pests – Monitor for bean beetles, aphids, mites and other pests that can spread faster in fall. Control them ASAP to avoid major damage.
With attentive care and favorable weather, green beans planted in late summer can produce plentifully into the fall months. Even after heavy frosts hit, you can continue harvesting any remaining pods for fresh eating or preservation. Extend your bean harvest as long as possible with strategic late plantings and good cultural practices. The rewards of garden-fresh green beans in autumn are well worth the effort!
Frequency of Entities:
Green beans – 14
Fall – 8
Planting – 7
Frost – 5
Days – 2
Soil – 4
Mature – 3
Harvest – 3
Temperatures – 3
Rows – 2
Mulch – 2
Compost – 2
Trellis – 2
Pods – 2
Season extenders – 1
Organic fertilizer – 1
Row covers – 1
Cloches – 1
Low tunnels – 1
Pests – 1
Weeds – 1
Caging – 1
A Farmer’s Guide to Mastering Growing Green Beans
FAQ
Is August too late to plant green beans?
Can you plant green beans in July?
How late in the summer can you plant bush beans?
What months do you plant green beans?
Can you plant beans late in summer?
As summer progresses there are fewer warm-season crops that you will be able to plant and still have a dependable harvest. A late planting of beans is one crop you can usually plant in mid-summer and still get a harvest. When putting in a late planting of beans you need to keep a couple of things in mind. 1.
Can you plant green beans late?
The declining amount of sun as you move towards fall. In order to be successful with a late planting you really need to have at least 75 days until your first real threat of frost. This also means you need to choose varieties that have a pretty short maturity date. Green beans will really be your only choice for a late planting of beans.
What should I do before planting green beans?
Before planting I amend the soil in my raised beds with an inch of compost and an application of a slow release organic vegetable fertilizer to provide nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. When growing green beans, don’t be in a rush to sow the seeds as planting when the soil is still cold and wet can lead to rot.
Can you grow green beans in the fall?
If you garden in similar weather, or live in a somewhat cooler growing zone but are willing to take extra measures to protect your plants, you can also grow green beans in the fall. In this guide, I’ll give tips for planting and caring for a fall crop of these legumes that produce tender, slender pods.