Whether you are just beginning to garden or have been doing it for years, there are plenty of tips for growing bush beans that will help you improve the quality of your produce. This article covers tips for watering, planting, harvesting, and pests and diseases.

Watering

Whether you are planting your first bush bean seed or you are an experienced bean farmer, there are a few things you need to know. For starters, bush beans are easy to grow and they are not prone to pests and disease. Unlike many vegetables, these beans don’t need staking, a trellis, or extra support. They can be grown in the garden or in a container.

To achieve optimal growth, you will need to plant bush beans in rows that are at least 18 inches wide and six inches apart. These plants require regular watering and spacing. Bush beans need at least two inches of water per week, but they don’t have the root system to survive in dry soil.

Watering your bush beans can be accomplished with a watering system or rain water. If you have a container, you will need to water more often, as the plant in the pot is more likely to dry out quickly.

Planting in successive plantings

Using successive plantings can increase your harvest. Basically, it means planting different vegetables in the same row. If you do it right, you can expect a continuous supply of fresh beans all season long.

The first row is usually planted in the early spring. The second and third are planted a little later.

A good rule of thumb is to plant one quarter of your seeds every two weeks. The first crop will be harvested in about 80 days. The second crop will be ready about two weeks later. The third crop will be ready about ten to fourteen days after the second.

To get the most out of your succession planting, be sure to choose a variety with good resistance to diseases. Also, make sure to use an inoculant. This is a bacteria that works with the roots of beans to produce nitrogen. If your soil is acidic, your inoculant may not be effective.

Avoiding high-nitrogen fertilizer

Using high-nitrogen fertilizers to grow bush beans can increase the amount of foliage and stems on the plant, but can also result in fewer beans. The best type of fertilizer to use is one with a higher percentage of phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. These nutrients will help promote healthy stems and green leaves.

When planting beans, use a non-chemical fertilizer, such as aged manure, sheep or cow manure, or even equal amounts of compost and well-rotted fertilizer. These types of fertilizers will work more slowly than chemical fertilizers, but they will give plants the nutrients they need more regularly.

If you do use a chemical fertilizer, apply it after planting. It should be mixed in the soil at a rate of 3 to 4 pounds per square foot. Then apply it to the plant by either row application or broadcasting.

Pests and diseases

Keeping a close eye on the diseases and pests when growing bush beans is important. Some of these pests can seriously damage your crop. These problems include aphids, fungus, and pesticides. It is important to keep a check on your plants during flowering and harvesting to prevent damage. There are several products available for use on field beans.

Aphids are small insects that feed on the leaves. These insects usually have a straw yellow color and a green triangle on their back. They can be treated with stinging nettle liquid.

Bean rust is caused by the fungus Uromyces appendiculatus. It affects the leaves, pods, and stems. It causes rust-colored spots on the lower leaf surfaces. It is a mainly a problem on fall beans. It can also infect lins and fruits.

Harvesting

Unlike the pole bean, the bush bean has less maintenance and less space requirements. This makes it a perfect vegetable for the novice gardener.

Bush beans come in a variety of colors, varieties, and sizes. They are also easy to grow. They are known for their high yields, which is especially nice for the beginner gardener. They have a large variety of uses, and are easy to store.

Bush beans are not as demanding as pole beans, and therefore can be harvested on a regular basis. You can also harvest them before they turn into thick grains. If you are planning to can the beans, make sure they are harvested well before the harvesting season ends. This can be done by storing the beans in an airtight container for up to four days.