When to Transplant Green Bean Seedlings: A Complete Guide

I planted pole beans over a week ago and they are not coming up. I dug in the rows and am finding beans. They look like they are not germinating (I hope that is the correct name). Should I soak them again before planting them again? Thanks, Linda. ANSWER: Soaking the green bean seeds overnight before planting them can be helpful. It will help them germinate more quickly. Before you replant your pole beans, you might wait a few more days. The ground temperature and moisture level can affect the amount of time it takes for seeds to germinate. So dont give up yet! But if they dont eventually sprout, try soaking the seeds before you replant.

As a gardener, deciding when to transplant green bean seedlings from indoors to the garden is an important step for a successful harvest. While green beans are relatively easy to grow, getting the timing right for transplanting the young seedlings makes all the difference.

In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about when and how to transplant green bean seedlings into your vegetable garden.

Overview of Green Beans

Green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), also called snap beans or string beans, are a warm-season vegetable that can be grown in most climates. There are two main types:

Bush beans – Grow as compact bushes about 2 feet tall Ready to harvest in 45-60 days Great for containers.
Pole beans – Grow as vines 6-10 feet tall. Need support from poles or trellises. Take 60-90 days to harvest. Higher yields.

Popular green bean varieties include Blue Lake, Kentucky Wonder, Contender, Provider, and Roma II.

Green beans are relatively easy to grow but very susceptible to frost damage. Getting the timing right for hardening off and transplanting seedlings is key.

When to Start Green Bean Seeds Indoors

Green bean seeds can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before the last expected frost date. Here are planting guidelines for a few common zones:

Zones 3-4 – Start seeds indoors in late April to mid May.
Zones 5-6 – Start seeds indoors in early to mid May.
Zones 7-8 – Start seeds indoors in mid to late May.
Zones 9-10 – Start seeds indoors in late May to early June.

Plant seeds 1 inch deep in pots or trays, water gently, and keep soil moist. Germination takes 7-14 days at temperatures between 65-80°F.

Hardening Off Green Bean Seedlings

About 1-2 weeks before transplanting outdoors, green bean seedlings need to be hardened off to acclimate them to outdoor conditions. Here’s how:

Move pots outdoors to a sheltered, shady spot for 2-3 hours a day.
Gradually increase outdoor time over the course of a week.
Reduce watering slightly, but don’t allow soil to dry out.
Protect from wind and extreme cold/hot temps.
Bring seedlings indoors overnight until ready to transplant.

Hardening off toughens the seedlings’ cell walls and prevents transplant shock. It takes about 1-2 weeks depending on weather.

When to Transplant Green Beans Outdoors

Green bean seedlings can be transplanted into the garden about 2-3 weeks after the last spring frost date when soil has warmed to at least 65°F. Here are some general guidelines:

Zones 3-4 – Transplant in late May to early June
Zones 5-6 – Transplant in mid to late May
Zones 7-8 – Transplant in early to mid May
Zones 9-10 – Transplant in February to March

Ideally, wait until nighttime lows are consistently above 50°F and daytime highs reach into the 70s. Avoid transplanting immediately after a heavy rain.

How to Transplant Green Bean Seedlings

Follow these steps when transplanting green bean seedlings into the garden:

Prepare beds by loosening soil and mixing in compost. Beans prefer light, fertile, well-draining soil.
Water seedlings thoroughly 1-2 days before transplanting.
Dig holes the same depth as the seedling’s container and spaced 12-18 inches apart.
Carefully remove each seedling with roots intact and place into hole. Refill soil and pat gently.
Water transplants immediately with a diluted fish emulsion or seaweed extract solution to reduce shock.
Consider using row covers to protect young plants from wind and cold nights.
Provide support for vining varieties by erecting trellises before transplanting.

With proper hardening off and ideal transplant timing, green bean seedlings quickly establish in the garden and flourish through the summer months.

Ongoing Care of Transplanted Beans

Once your green bean seedlings are happily growing in the garden, be sure to provide attentive care:

Water 1-2 inches per week, allowing soil to partially dry between watering. Increase water during flowering and pod set.
Weed carefully around plants and maintain 2-3 inches of mulch to retain moisture.
Fertilize every 3-4 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer.
Monitor for pests like aphids and diseases like rust or anthracnose. Take action promptly if issues arise.
Pick beans frequently to encourage more pod production.

With attentive care and proper transplant timing, a small patch of green bean seedlings will reward you with a prolific harvest!

Troubleshooting Transplant Issues

Here are some potential problems and solutions if your transplanted green bean seedlings struggle:

Wilting or drooping – Transplant shock is likely. Increase watering and provide shade for a few days.
Stunted growth – Could indicate cold soil temps, overcrowding, or dampening off disease. Thin seedlings and improve drainage.
Leaf spots or rust – Treat disease promptly by removing affected foliage. Improve airflow and avoid wetting leaves.
Curled leaves – Usually signals insect pests like aphids or bean leaf beetles. Check undersides of leaves and apply organic pest control if needed.
Flowers or pods dropping – Common when temps are high. Provide afternoon shade and adequate moisture.

With attentive care and preventative measures, potential issues with transplanted green beans can usually be corrected quickly.

Enjoying a Bountiful Bean Harvest

One of the great joys of vegetable gardening is gathering a fresh basket of crisp green beans that you nurtured from seed.

Transplanting green bean seedlings at just the right time is the first step toward a abundant harvest. Follow best practices for hardening off and transplanting, provide attentive care as plants establish, and troubleshoot promptly if any issues arise.

With some patience and good timing, you’ll be rewarded with a prolific harvest of juicy green beans to enjoy all season long.

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Green Beans–Preparation for Canning

Would it be okay to cook the green beans, put them in a plastic bag, and put them in the fridge so that they can be canned the next day? Would they lose any of their flavor or freshness? Green beans store quite will. You can can them the next day if that works better for you. I don’t think the flavor would change.

Green Beans and Cucumbers

We planted our seeds early and they are very tall now. Its too cold to put them outside yet. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THEM NOW? ANSWER: When the time comes, I usually plant my cucumber and green bean seeds right in the ground. You CAN transplant cucumbers, but it is very easy to disturb their roots and accidentally kill the plants. Green beans are also difficult to transplant for the same reason. You could try to keep them alive in their pots until it’s time to plant them outside. Right now, it will be hard to move them to bigger pots. When it gets warmer, it will be easier to move them to the ground. Good luck!.

A Farmer’s Guide to Mastering Growing Green Beans

FAQ

When should I transplant green bean seedlings?

They are ready to transplant in 3 weeks. By growing them as a “plug” size, you avoid transplant shock since it doesn’t disturb the roots. Plant them in a straight line against a trellis system if its a vining/pole type of bean. If its a bush bean, then plant 9 plugs in a square foot (square foot gardening guidelines).

How big should seedlings be before transplanting?

Make sure that your seedling is about 2-3 inches high before transplanting. We also recommend transplanting a seedling after its two “true leaves” first come out. Most flowering plants form two leaves upon germination.

When can I put bean seedlings outside?

Keep in a warm, bright place, at over 12°C (54°F). Seedlings will grow rapidly and need watering regularly. The young plants can be moved outside once all risk of frost has passed, usually in late May or early June – see Planting out, below.

What should seedlings look like before transplanting?

You’ll know they’re ready if their cotyledons are turning yellow, they’ve already grown 1 or 2 sets of true leaves, or their roots are growing through the drainage hole in their seed tray.

Can green beans be transplanted?

Green beans are direct sown in the soil, rather than being grown in seed-starter trays. The reason being: beans do not like to be transplanted. Due to their high germination rate, it is best to push them in moist soil once the ground has warmed up in spring. Aim for planting your beans about 1″ in the soil.

How do you transplant a green bean plant?

Once your green beans reach about 3 inches tall you can remove the smaller of the two plants. You can do this by taking scissors and snipping the smaller of the two plants right at the soil line. This will allow the healthier green bean plant to grow to its full potential. Next, you can transplant your green bean plant to a 1 Gallon Nursery Pot.

When should I transplant green bean plants?

It’s best to avoid transplanting green bean plants during extremely hot weather, as they may not be able to handle the stress. Transplanting in the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler can help to reduce stress on the plants. Should I fertilize my transplanted green bean plants?

Can You transplant green bean plants in containers?

Yes, you can transplant green bean plants in containers as long as the container is large enough to accommodate the root system of the plant. How often should I water my transplanted green bean plants? Water your transplanted green bean plants every two to three days for the first few weeks after transplanting.