Growing Beans: How and When to Plant Pole and Green Beans
Beans are a warm-season legume grown for their tender, tasty pods. They are prolific, easy to grow, and come in many varieties—from bush beans to pole beans, string beans, and yardlong beans. If you’ve ever wondered when to plant beans or how to get the best results from your green bean planting, you’re in the right place! This post will cover everything you need to know about bean planting. We’ll also touch on pole bean planting techniques, container growing, and troubleshooting common problems.
In This Post
- Types of Beans
- How to Plant Beans
- When to Plant Beans
- Companion Planting
- Harvesting Beans
- Troubleshooting & FAQs
- Next Steps & Additional Resources
1. Types of Beans
Thinking about the right type of beans for planting? One of the most fun steps in beans planting is choosing a variety that fits your space and flavor preferences. Whether you want a quick harvest from bush beans or a taller pole bean plant that grows over a trellis, understanding these types will help you grow beans that suit your garden perfectly.
Bush Beans
- Growth Habit: Compact plants growing close to the ground.
- Harvest Window: Typically ready in about 50–60 days. They produce one large flush, then a smaller crop.
- Tips: Succession plant every two weeks for a continuous supply. Try ‘Dragon Tongue’ or ‘Gold Rush’ for unique flavors and colors. ‘Contender‘ and ‘Jade‘ are reliable varieties.
Pole Beans
- Growth Habit: Climb a trellis or support, often reaching 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 m).
- Harvest Window: Usually 60–70 days. A single planting can yield beans all season.
- Tips: For pole bean planting, look for stringless (when young) varieties like ‘Kentucky Wonder’ or ‘Blue Lake.’ Provide a sturdy structure for them to climb.
String (Snap) Beans
Not sure if string beans and green beans are the same? Traditionally, string beans had a tough fibrous string running down the pod seam, which had to be removed before eating. However, most green beans for planting today are stringless, making them easier to prepare.
What Are String Beans? These are the classic “green beans” you snap. If you want green beans for planting, you can’t go wrong with snap beans. All string beans are green beans, but not all green beans are string beans anymore!
Yardlong (Asparagus) Beans
- Heat Tolerance: Ideal for hot, humid conditions. Known as snake beans or Chinese long beans.
- Fun Factor: Pods can reach 18 inches (45 cm) or more, fascinating kids and adults alike.
- When to Plant: They require warmer soil than green or pole beans, so plant them later in spring or summer.
- Learn More: Check out my blog post on growing asparagus beans if you garden where it’s too hot for typical beans.
Other Varieties: If you’re looking for more bean-growing options, check out these warm-climate favorites:
- Borlotti Beans – Beautiful speckled beans with a rich flavor. Find tips in my Borlotti Beans Growing Guide.
- Tepary Beans – Extremely drought-tolerant and perfect for arid regions. Learn more in my Tepary Beans Growing Guide.
- Black-Eyed Peas – A heat-loving legume that thrives in summer. Read my Black-Eyed Peas Growing Guide.
2. How to Plant Beans
Planting beans is pretty straightforward, but a few tips will make sure your string beans growing experience goes smoothly.
- Direct Seeding: Beans usually do best when sown directly into the garden. Transplanting can disturb their roots, so grow beans directly in their final location if possible.
- Depth & Spacing: Plant seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep and 2 inches (5 cm) apart.
- Germination: Look for sprouts in 5–10 days. Ideal soil temps range from 60–95°F (15–35°C), with around 80°F (27°C) being optimal. When the soil is warm, I’ve had beans pop up in 2 days!
- Sun & Water: Full sun (6–8 hours daily) and consistently moist, well-drained soil are key to green bean growing.
Seed Starting Note: If you do start seeds indoors, they’re typically ready to plant out in 2–3 weeks. But direct seeding is often best to avoid transplant shock.
Learn more about how to plant seeds outside in this guide.
3. When to Plant Beans
Wondering when to plant green beans so you can get the biggest harvest? Timing your bean planting is crucial for healthy growth and maximum yield, especially if you live in a region with specific temperature or frost constraints.
General Guidelines
- First Outdoor Planting: 2–8 weeks after your last frost date (or right on the last frost date in milder climates).
- Last Planting Date: Aim for about 10 weeks before your first fall frost.
- Succession Planting: Sow new beans every two weeks for a continuous supply throughout the season.
Specific Recommendations for the Low Desert of Arizona
- Snap Beans (Bush & Pole): Plant from March 15–April and again from August–September.
- Lima Beans: Plant from March 15–April and July–August.
- Yardlong Beans: Plant from March 15–July.
- Pinto & Tepary Beans: Plant in March and again with monsoon rains (July–August).
Tip: Warmer soil (70–90°F / 21–32°C) leads to faster germination. If you’re still unsure when to plant beans, err on the side of waiting until the soil warms up in spring.
Learn how to check your soil temperature in this guide.
4. Companion Plants for Beans
Looking to make every square foot count when you grow beans? Companion planting can help maximize yields and even reduce pests naturally.
Good companion plants include:
(click on the plant name for growing guides)
- Corn – Tall stalks support climbing beans.
- Carrots – Different rooting depths help use soil efficiently.
- Marigolds – Natural pest deterrent, plus a pop of color.
For more companion plants for warm-season gardens read this guide.
Pole beans are one of the original Three Sisters—a traditional companion planting trio of corn, squash, and beans—and they’re just as effective in a Three Sisters Raised Bed Garden. In this setup, beans climb the corn stalks while helping enrich the soil with nitrogen. Learn how to incorporate them into containers or raised beds for a thriving, balanced garden.
5. Harvesting Beans
Excited to see your string beans growing in abundance? Knowing when to pick them ensures top flavor and encourages the plants to keep producing.
- When to Pick: Harvest when pods are firm and about the thickness of a pencil.
- Pick Often: Frequent picking signals the plant to produce more pods. If pods mature too much (seeds bulging), the plant may slow down or stop producing.
- Storage: Fresh is best! If you can’t eat them right away, store them in the fridge in a breathable bag or my favorite produce storage containers.
Nutritional Bonus: Beans are packed with vitamins A, B, and C, plus calcium and iron.
6. Bean Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why Did My Seedlings Disappear?
- Possible Culprit: Pill bugs or slugs often munch on tender seedlings.
- Solution: Use an organic slug/pill bug bait and read this guide for prevention tips.
Can I Grow Beans with Corn & Tomatoes?
- Yes! Beans fix nitrogen, helping heavy feeders like corn and tomatoes. Just make sure everyone has enough space and light.
Growing Beans in Containers
- Container Size: Aim for at least 12 inches (30 cm) deep. If you’re planting pole beans, provide a sturdy trellis or stake.
- Soil Mix: Use quality potting mix with compost. Ensure good drainage.
- Watering: Containers dry out faster, so water as needed to keep soil consistently moist.
Get more tips for container gardening in this guide.
Bush Beans vs. Pole Beans: Which Is Better?
- Bush Beans:
- Harvest in ~50–60 days.
- Compact, minimal support needed.
- One large flush, then a smaller second harvest.
- Pole Beans:
- Harvest in ~60–70 days.
- Require a trellis or pole, but produce continuously.
- Great for vertical gardening in smaller spaces. Get ideas for trellises in this guide.
7. Next Steps & Additional Resources
Now that you know how to grow beans, you’re set for a successful season. Remember, each garden is unique, so experiment with different bean types to find your favorites.
- Hot Climate Tip: Check out my in-depth post on asparagus beans if you need a more heat-tolerant option.
- Share the Love: Found these tips helpful? Spread the word and help other gardeners learn when to plant green beans or start growing beans in their backyards.
Happy gardening! With the right timing, proper planting techniques, and a little TLC, you can grow beans for fresh, nutritious meals all season long.
Hi Angela,
I planted bush beans couple months ago. They started growing to about 3-4 inches tall and then started dying. Is it a watering issue? I’m on a drip system, 1gph drip line. How deep does my soil need to be (if it is a drainage issue). It’s been two years like this, it’s frustrating. I tried growing them in different area of the garden, same issue. Thank you for your advice.
Where are you located? It may be a timing issue. Here in the low desert, we have an early spring planting of beans and a fall planting, but summer’s heat is too much for them.
Yori Cahui yardlong finally decided to bloom. this is a first. Usually they’re in bloom most of the summer (Zone 9 A, San Pedro valley) despite harsh winds. This year was odd, tho, and most didn’t start to vine till after the first monsoon rain. White Tepary are giving a lot of dry beans now, and starting to bloom again. Just planted the bush beans, and tomorrow will try, again, to get scarlet runners to produce. They like the cool weather, and seem to thrive in it, but if frosts are too hard, erk. Some frost, no problem and many of the roots resprout in late spring.
Do runner beans grow in the low desert?
I have not had good luck with them.
Hi Angela!
Is this the same advice for a black or pinto bean? Since they are usually used as a dry bean, do I ever pick the beans as they grow in and cook them like a green bean, or do I leave it alone in its entirety and let the whole plant dry out? (I’m also in Phoenix, AZ if that helps at all)
Thanks!!
Right, you leave dry beans on the plant until they have dried out.
What are good fertilizers for beans? Mine are yellowing.
Also, other gardens will sprout beans but then they die at root level with little root system. Thoughts??
HELP!! I live in Arizona, low desert and VERY HOT, zone 9b – 10ab and my water from the hose/spiket needs to run full blast for about 5 mins before it starts to cool off, even in my house (which comes out pretty warm, not boiling like outdoors) I have to run it for awhile to get it cooled off, NO JOKE! It is 110 to 120 during July and August for weeks at a time. I have no idea how to have a drip line when my water comes out boiling hot!! Angela, how in the world do you have a drip line without burning your plants roots??? Thank you. I hope to hear from you soon.
Water in the morning – this can help, the water temps are usually lower then.
I’m building a raised bed, 10 in high x 18″ x 10′. I started by (almost) killing Bermuda grass with vinegar and salt . covered with layers of cardboard, soaked, burlap and cloth blanket, soaked, added some small split logs around edge soaked. I have some mostly dead rosemary stems with lots of leaves. can I use them as organic matter as the next layer?
Sure.
I live in Mesa, Arizona and have planted pole beans 3 years in a row without the blossoms putting out beans. I plant in late February, early March, and the vines look great, but no beans. What am I doing wrong?
Could be too much nitrogen in the soil. Some varieties do better in heat than others. Try a heat-tolerant type like Rattlesnake, Kentucky Wonder, or Chinese Red Noodle (asparagus bean). The last one thrives in summer heat and sets beans when regular types give up.