When to Plant Green Beans in Michigan for Maximum Yields

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Green beans are a popular veggie for home gardens in Michigan. With their sweet flavor and crisp texture fresh green beans are a classic summer treat. However, proper timing is crucial when planting green beans in Michigan’s climate. Read this guide to learn the optimal time to get your bean seeds or seedlings in the ground.

Overview of Green Beans

Green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) come in two main types – bush beans and pole beans.

Bush beans are short, compact plants reaching 1-2 feet tall at maturity. They are suitable for small space gardens and containers. Bush beans also mature earlier than pole types. Some common bush bean varieties are Blue Lake, Contender, and Provider.

Pole beans have a climbing growth habit and need trellises or supports to grow vertically. Pole beans yield for a longer period and produce longer pods than bush types. Some popular pole bean varieties are Kentucky Wonder, Scarlet Runner, and Romano.

Both bush and pole green beans prefer full sunlight and well-draining loam or sandy soil with a pH between 60-6,8 They need consistent moisture of around 1 inch per week, Rotating planting sites each year prevents disease buildup,

Ideal Planting Time

Timing bean planting properly is vital for success in Michigan. Here are some guidelines:

Start seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before your average last spring frost. For most of Michigan, aim for starting in late March to mid April.
Transplant seedlings into the garden about 1-2 weeks after the final frost, usually around mid to late April.
If direct sowing outdoors, wait to plant until 2 weeks after the last frost when soil warms to 60°F or above. This is also generally mid to late April.
Stop planting new beans by early July so existing plants have time to fully mature pods before the first fall frost threatens.
Expect the first killing frosts by mid to late October for most of Michigan.

Pay close attention to microclimates and weather forecasts in your specific area, as frost dates can vary. Protect young plants if any spring cold snaps occur.

Starting Beans Indoors

Getting a head start on the season by planting beans indoors allows earlier transplanting outside. Here are some tips:

Sow seeds in containers or cell packs 2-3 weeks before your target outdoor planting date.
Use a seed starting mix and plant seeds 1 inch deep. Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy.
Beans germinate best with warm soil around 70°F. Consider using a heat mat.
Place containers in a sunny indoor spot or under grow lights on a 14-16 hour photoperiod.
Thin seedlings after the first true leaves emerge, leaving 1 plant per cell.
Harden off plants 7-10 days before transplanting by gradually acclimating them to outdoor conditions.

Direct Sowing Outdoors

Beans can also be directly sown into the garden soil. Follow these guidelines:

Prepare garden beds and loosen soil, mixing in compost if needed. Ideal pH is 6.0-6.8.
Wait until 2 weeks after the average last spring frost date for your area when soil reaches 60°F.
Sow seeds 1-2 inches deep in rows spaced 18-36 inches apart. Space seeds 2-4 inches apart in rows.
For continuous harvests, make small succession plantings every 2 weeks until mid summer.
Water soil regularly to maintain even moisture around 1 inch per week. Add mulch to help retain moisture.
Once seedlings emerge, thin them to proper spacing within rows.

Caring For Beans

Give bean plants proper care and maintenance throughout the season:

Water bean plants regularly, especially during flowering and pod development. Avoid water stress.
Carefully hand weed around plants since beans have a shallow root system. Mulching helps suppress weeds.
Scout for pests like bean beetles, aphids, or spider mites and treat promptly if found.
Once flowering starts, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly to prevent fungal diseases.
Install trellises for pole bean varieties when plants reach 4-6 inches tall.

Harvesting Beans

One of the best parts of growing beans is enjoying the harvest. Follow these tips:

Bush beans begin producing ready pods around 50-60 days after seeding. Pole beans start 7-10 days later.
Pick snap bean pods when they are slender, crisp, and 3-6 inches long. Beans should not bulge inside.
Use pruners or scissors for harvesting to avoid uprooting plants.
Check plants daily and pick beans every 2-4 days to encourage more pod production.
After heavy picking, side dress plants with balanced vegetable fertilizer.
Stop harvesting if frost threatens so any remaining pods can fully mature.

Storing the Harvest

Enjoy your fresh picked green beans or preserve the bounty to have long-lasting enjoyment:

Store freshly picked beans in perforated bags in the fridge for 5-7 days max.
Blanch beans for 2-3 minutes then freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags.
Pickle beans by brining in salt and vinegar solution before canning in sterile jars.
Pressure can beans using approved recipes and safety guidelines if you wish to shelf store them.

Tips for Success

Follow these tips to help ensure a prolific green bean harvest in your Michigan garden:

Choose disease resistant varieties like Provider bush beans or Blue Lake pole beans.
Rotate planting sites each year to prevent disease carryover in soil. Avoid planting beans in same spot more than once every 3 years.
Use row covers early in season to protect from light frosts if needed. Remove during flowering for pollination.
Install trellises for pole bean varieties right after transplanting or when vines begin climbing.
Control common pests like bean beetles, aphids, or leafhoppers which can damage plants.

With the right timing and care for your region, green beans are a rewarding and productive crop for Michigan gardens. Follow this guide and you’ll be picking bundles of fresh, tasty beans all season long.

when to plant green beans in michigan

How to Grow Beans From Planting to Harvest

Cover the soil around bean plants with mulch to keep it moist, but make sure it drains well. Beans have shallow roots, so mulch keeps them cool.
Water regularly, about 2 inches per square foot per week. Beans will stop flowering if you don’t water them enough. On sunny days, water so that the leaves don’t stay wet, which could lead to disease.
Start fertilizing if you need to after heavy bloom and pod set. If you use high-nitrogen fertilizer, your plants will have lots of leaves but not many beans. Instead of liquid fertilizer, you can add a side dressing of compost or aged manure in the middle of the growing season.
Weed diligently but carefully to avoid disturbing the beans’ roots.
When the pole bean vines reach the top of the support, pinch off the tops. Because of this, they will have to work harder to make more pods instead.
Cover young plants with row covers when it’s very hot outside. That way, the harvest won’t be as small.

Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Green Beans

It’s so easy to grow green beans that they are often the first vegetable that kids learn how to do. All green beans are very productive, even in pots. Find out how to plant, grow, and pick green beans, as well as the pros and cons of bush vs. pole varieties.

All green beans (also called “string beans” or “snap beans”) are tender annuals. Though most green beans are indeed green, they also come in purple, red, yellow, and streaked varieties.

A Farmer’s Guide to Mastering Growing Green Beans

FAQ

What month do you plant green beans?

Green beans are a warm season crop that can be planted as soon as the danger of frost has passed in the spring. Green beans grow best when air temperatures range from 65°F to 85°F. Soil temperatures should be at least 55°F for good seed germination.

Is it too late to plant green beans now?

Green beans require warm soils to germinate and can’t tolerate frosts, freezes, or hot temperatures so should be planted no later than August for a fall crop.

What are the best beans to grow in Michigan?

Garden beans, both snap and Lima, are among the favorite vegetables for many people. Some home gardeners will also grow dry beans and edible soybeans. Types include pole beans, bush beans, wax beans, French and Italian beans. These garden beans can be grown in Michigan, a major commercial producer of dry beans.

When should you plant green beans?

Green beans should be planted from May 10–July 15. They prefer growing season temperatures of 60–70˚F and soil temperatures above 50˚F. Planting when temperatures are above 85˚F can result in poor pollination and ‘split set’. Navy and red kidney beans should be planted June 1–June 9. Lima beans germinate best at soil temperatures of 65˚F.

How do you pick green beans?

Pick green beans every day; the more you pick, the more beans grow. Green beans are picked young and tender before the seeds inside have fully developed. Look for firm, sizable pods that are firm and can be snapped—generally as thick as a pencil. Snap or cut the beans off the plant, being careful not to tear the plant.

Can you plant green bean seeds indoors?

Don’t plant too early, as cold, moist soil will delay germination and could cause the seeds to rot. Tip: To get a head start on planting, place black plastic or landscaping fabric over your garden beds to warm the soil prior to sowing seeds. Do not start green bean seeds indoors. Due to their fragile roots, they may not survive transplanting.

How do you grow green beans in a container?

Put two beans into each hole between 1 and 11⁄2 inches deep. Eliminate the weaker one after germination by cutting the stem. (Do not allow two plants to coexist in one hole; neither will thrive.) To care for your container of green beans, provide 6 to 8 hours of sun per day. Whenever the soil is dry, water to a depth of 1 to 2 inches.