How to Plant Peas & Green Beans in a Container Garden

Overview

Planting peas and green beans in container gardens allow you to produce abundant vegetables in a limited space. Container gardens are placed on patios or other normally unsuitable gardening areas and can be used alone or in addition to gardening beds . Any large container with bottom drainage holes is suitable for peas and beans, including traditional planters or plastic tubs. Containers that are at least 5 gallons in size are best for peas and green beans.

Step 1

Fill the container with a moist, sterile potting mix. Then set the container in an area that receives full sunlight. Alternatively, combine 1 part peat moss with 1 part sterilized compost to create your own potting mix.

Step 2

Sow peas 3 inches apart, and sow pole and bush beans 5 inches apart. Plant each seed 1 to 1½ inches deep in the soil.

Step 3

Water the container as needed to keep it evenly moist. Check moisture in the soil every day by sticking your finger in the soil. If the soil feels dry, water until the excess moisture begins dripping from the bottom drainage holes.

Step 4

Install a trellis system for the peas and pole beans to climb. For deep containers, insert tall stakes into the soil in the container behind the plants. Or place the container against a wall and slide a length of lattice trellis between the container and the wall.

Step 5

Guide the young shoots onto the trellis or stake once they emerge. Wrap the tip of each plant around the support one or two times. As it grows, it will climb the trellis on its own with no further help.

Step 6

Fertilize the plants starting four weeks after planting; then reapply every three weeks. Use a half-strength dilution of general-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer.