How to Grow a Bean Seed

Overview

There are many varieties of beans to grow in your home garden. Among the most common are pole, bush and wax beans. Beans are easy to grow and are usually harvested about 60 to 80 days after planting. Plant bean seeds in full sun and after the last anticipated frost of the spring and when soil reaches 50 degrees F. Stagger plantings by two to three weeks until the middle of the summer for a prolonged harvest.

Step 1

Turn over the soil to a depth of 6 inches and incorporate 1 cup of 5-10-10 fertilizer for every 50 feet of row.

Step 2

Plant most bean seeds 1 inch deep. Plant cowpea, yardlong and lima beans ½ inch deep.

Step 3

Space seeds about 2 to 6 inches apart and in rows between 18 and 36 inches apart, depending on the variety. Green bean seeds can also be planted four to six seeds on hills that are spaced 30 inches apart. Hills should be formed to be 2 feet high and round.

Step 4

Water the newly planted beans with an inch of water if the soil was not already wet from rainfall. Continue to water the beans once a week with 1 inch of water.

Step 5

Keep the area well weeded since bean plants have shallow roots and the weeds use up water and valuable nutrients. Use a hoe to lightly rake the soil around the plants to remove weeds.