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Green beans are a favorite summer vegetable for many gardeners in Ohio. Their sweet flavor and crisp texture make them an essential addition to backyard gardens. However, timing is crucial when planting green beans in order to maximize your harvest. This guide will provide tips on the optimal planting times for green beans in Ohio.
Why Timing Matters for Planting Green Beans
Green beans thrive in warm soil and air temperatures. The seeds will rot if planted in cold, wet soil. Temperatures should be at least 55-60°F before sowing seeds directly in the garden. Green beans also take 50-60 days to mature from seed sowing. Plant too early and the seeds may rot. Plant too late and your crop won’t have time to mature before the first fall frost.
Paying close attention to the average last spring frost date and first fall frost date is key. The sweet spot for green bean planting falls between these dates. But Ohio’s weather is unpredictable, so also watch the extended forecast before planting. Be prepared to cover young plants if a late frost occurs.
When to Plant Green Beans in Northern Ohio
Northern Ohio faces colder spring weather and earlier fall frosts. Follow these tips for timing green bean plantings:
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Start seeds indoors: Begin seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the average last spring frost. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. This allows for a longer harvesting window.
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Direct sow: Wait to direct sow seeds outdoors until soil temperatures reach 60°F, usually early to mid May.
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Succession plant: Sow small batches of seeds every 2 weeks until mid July. This extends the harvest through summer.
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Watch fall frosts: Fall frosts typically arrive in northern Ohio by early to mid October. Finish sowing beans by late July to allow time to maturity before the first frost.
Specific last frost dates for northern Ohio cities:
- Cleveland – May 10
- Toledo – May 15
- Akron – May 15
- Youngstown – May 15
When to Plant Green Beans in Central Ohio
Central Ohio falls in the transitional zone between northern and southern parts of the state. Here are key tips for timing green bean plantings:
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Start seeds indoors: Getting a head start indoors will maximize yields. Begin seeds 4 weeks before the average last spring frost in mid April.
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Direct sow Direct sow seeds when soil temperatures reach 60°F, generally late April to early May.
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Succession plant: Sow additional seeds every 2-3 weeks until early July.
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Fall frosts: Fall frosts typically hit central Ohio in mid to late October. Final sowings should occur by mid July.
Specific last frost dates:
- Columbus – May 5
- Dayton – May 10
- Zanesville – May 15
When to Plant Green Beans in Southern Ohio
The warmer southern region of Ohio offers a long growing season suitable for green beans. Use these tips for timing plantings:
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Direct sow: Plant seeds directly in the garden 2-3 weeks before the average last spring frost in late March or when soil temperatures reach 60°F.
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Succession plant: Continue sowing seeds every 2-3 weeks until mid July for continual harvests.
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Fall frosts: The first fall frosts usually don’t arrive until late October or early November. Succession plantings can continue into August.
Specific last frost dates:
- Cincinnati – April 20
- Dayton – May 10
Tips for Planting Green Beans in Ohio
Follow these additional tips for a successful green bean crop:
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Choose bush or pole bean varieties suited to Ohio’s climate. Recommended varieties include Provider, Contender, Derby, and Blue Lake.
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Prepare the soil well by mixing in several inches of compost or other organic matter to encourage strong root growth.
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Sow seeds 1-2 inches deep, 2-4 inches apart in rows 18-36 inches apart. Plant 5-6 beans per foot for pole types.
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Water soil regularly so it remains evenly moist, about 1-2 inches per week. Avoid waterlogged soil.
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Once sprouted, apply a balanced vegetable fertilizer or compost tea every 2-3 weeks.
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Mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.
With the right timing, Ohio gardeners can grow a plentiful harvest of sweet, tender green beans. Pay close attention to your area’s average last spring and first fall frost dates. Be prepared to protect young plants if cold snaps occur. Follow tips on when to start seeds indoors versus direct sowing. Succession planting small batches from spring through mid summer will provide a continuous bounty.
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.
What’s the Difference Between Bush Beans and Pole Beans?
The main difference between the different kinds of green beans is whether they grow in a “bush” or “pole” style. ”.
- Bush beans don’t need extra support from a structure like a trellis because they grow close together (about two feet tall).
- Pole beans, also called climbing beans, grow as vines that can get up to 15 feet tall and need to be staked or hung from a trellis. Watch this video to learn how to support beans properly.
There are pros and cons to both types, of course:
- Because they are smaller, bush beans usually need less care, but pole beans usually produce more beans for longer and are less likely to get diseases.
- Pole beans will take 55 to 65 days, while bush beans will take 50 to 55 days.
- Bush beans usually grow all at once, so plant them every two weeks apart to get a steady harvest. Pole beans need their vines to grow, and if you keep picking them, they will keep giving you food for a month or two.
Read Next
Beans grow best in well-draining soil with normal fertility and an acidic to neutral pH (6. 0–7. 0). They don’t typically need supplemental fertilizer because they fix their own nitrogen in the soil. But very poor soil should still be fixed with aged manure or compost before planting in the fall (or about a week before planting in the spring).
Beans don’t like having their roots disturbed, so set up any supports for pole beans prior to planting.
A Farmer’s Guide to Mastering Growing Green Beans
FAQ
When should you plant green beans in Ohio?
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Crop
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Sow seeds indoors
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Direct sow seeds
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Beans
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Apr 26 – May 24
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Beets
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Mar 1 – Mar 15
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Broccoli
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Feb 16 – Mar 1
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Brussel Sprouts
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Feb 16 – Mar 1
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What month do you plant green beans?
What are the best green beans to grow in Ohio?
What vegetables can I plant now in Ohio?
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.
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 far apart should green beans be planted?
Large seeds and fast results make planting green beans a perfect activity for kids. Not to mention the awesome forts you can grow. Sow seeds about 1 inch deep and 3 inches apart. When plants are a few inches tall, thin them to at least 18 inches apart for bush varieties and 4 inches apart for pole varieties.