Melinda Myers

Bush Beans

Botanical Name

Phaseolus vulgaris

Hardiness

Annual

Height

1 to 3 feet

Width

1 to 2 feet

Flowers

Mid to late summer: white

Fruit

Green pods, some varieties produce purple or yellow pods

Light

Full sun

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Planting & Care

• Direct sow outdoors after danger of frost has passed
• Beans germinate in temperatures 70°F to 80°F. Germination is slow and very poor when soil temps are below 60°F.
• Never soak seeds before planting as this may damage seeds. Sow seeds 1 inch deep - 2 to 4 inches apart in rows at least 18 to 24 inches apart.
• For a continual harvest, make successive plantings thru July
• Mulch the soil around the plant after the 2nd set of true leaves appear. This conserves moisture and protects the shallow root system of the plants.

Problems

Mexican bean beetle, bacterial blights, white mold, aphids, leafhoppers, seedcorn maggot, spider mites, mosaic virus

Varieties

• Blue Lake - resistant to bean mosaic virus
• Golden Butterwax - yellow pods
• Royal Purple Burgundy - purple fruit turns green after cooking
• Mascotte - compact, ideal for small gardens and containers, pods stay above the foliage, showy white flowers, All-America Selections winner