Growing Beans in the Garden

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5 Tips for How to Grow Beans

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Beans are a warm-season legume grown for the tender pods. Growing beans in the garden is simple. They are prolific and easy to grow. With so many varieties available, beans are a staple in most gardens. Learn how to grow beans and add them to your garden. Keep reading for extra tips if you are growing beans in the low desert of Arizona.

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1. Understand the different types of beans:

Bush beans grow lower to the ground and yield one larger crop all at once followed by a smaller harvest a couple weeks later. Planting bush beans every two weeks will ensure a continuous supply. Try varieties like dragon tongue and gold rush which are not readily available in supermarkets.

Pole beans are grown on a trellis, and one planting provides a steady yield all season long. Look for stringless varieties like Kentucky wonder and rattlesnake.

Yardlong beans tolerate heat and humidity better than snap bean varieties. Try varieties such as asparagus bean, snake beans or Chinese long bean. These are very fun to grow, kids love seeing how long the beans get in the garden. Yard beans require warmer growing conditions than pole and bush beans and have different planting dates.

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2. Learn how to plant beans correctly

• Bean seeds do best when sown directly into the soil.
• Plant seeds 1 inch deep, and space them 2 inches apart.
• Growing beans should sprout in 5 to 10 days.
• Like many other garden plants, beans need plenty of sun to grow properly.
• Keep soil moist and well-drained for happy beans.

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3. Plant beans at the right time

Beans need warm soil to sprout and grow well. Begin planting in the spring after last spring frost. Seeds will germinate more quickly in soil temperatures of 70°F – 90°F (21°C – 32°C). Succession plant bean seeds every two weeks throughout the growing season for a fresh supply of beans all season long.

When to plant beans in Arizona

• Plant snap beans (bush and pole type) from March through April and again from July 15 through mid-September 15. 
• Lima beans can be planted from March 15 through April 15
• Plant yardlong beans from March 15 through July 15
• Pinto and tepary beans can be planted with the monsoons at the end of July. 

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4. Plant companion plants for beans

Good companion plants for growing beans include carrots, cauliflower, marigolds, corn and celery.

Of special note: Beans planted near any member of the garlic or onion family may inhibit the growth of both.

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5. Harvest beans at the right time

Harvest beans when the pods are firm and about the diameter of a pencil. Pick beans when young for best flavor. Harvest beans often to encourage production. As beans mature they lose flavor and the pods begin to bulge with seeds, this signals to the plant to stop producing.

Most beans do not store well; once picked, use them as soon as possible. Store in the fridge if not using them right away. Beans are delicious raw (when picked young) or cooked. Beans are high in vitamins A, B and C, as well as calcium and iron.

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