Green Beans
Varieties
- Provider - Bush bean
Growth Habit
Growing Conditions
Disease and Pest Notes
Molds, bacterial, and wilt diseases are common. These problems are most frequent in wet weather, heat, and humidity. If spots appear on leaves or bean pods, treat the plant with an approved fungicide. Before using a pesticide, read the label. Always follow cautions, warnings and directions. Most varieties of beans are susceptible to a variety of insects and rodents, most notably beetles. Rabbits can eat the tender new leaves. A rabbit fence may be necessary to keep them from ruining your crop.
Plow under or remove and compost bean straw in the fall to hasten destruction of most disease organisms. For Sclerotinia spp. (white mold) control, plant at wider row spacing to promote drying of plant leaves and soil. Practice a 3-year crop rotation. All our bush bean seeds are produced in areas known to be free of halo blight.
Disease resistance codes: BMV, PM
Mexican bean beetles and potato leafhoppers can be controlled with insecticides such as pyrethrin or azadarachtin.
Mulch Type
Propagation
Life cycle
Planting details
Optimum soil temperature for germination is 70–90°F (21–32°C). Plant when daytime soil temperatures average at least 60°F (16°C), or risk poor germination. Inoculants can increase yields. For a continuous supply, make successive sowings every 2-3 weeks through midsummer.
Bush bean plant height 18″ – 24″.
The Provider bean is a stringless, fast maturing bush bean. Provider beans can be planted earlier than other beans because it germinates well in cool soils. Provider has compact bean plants that are easy to establish and adapt well to diverse soil and climate conditions.
For bush beans, plant the seeds about 1-1.5 inches deep, maybe 2 inches deep in the summer for a fall planting. 6 inches apart – 4 per square foot – in market garden beds.
For pole beans, plant 1 inch deep and 3 feet apart. Place a stake between each planted seed. As the bean vines mature, they will grow up the stakes. To ensure bean germination in each location plant 2-3 seeds.
Culture and fertilization requirements
After the plants begin to flower and set beans, apply 1/2 cup of general purpose fertilizer for every 10 feet of row. Scatter the fertilizer between the rows. This will help the plants produce more beans. Water the plants after fertilizing. You can also side dress the rows with general purpose fertilizer at planting time.
Watering: Water beans with about 1 inch of water a week. Do not let the soil get dry while the beans are blooming or the blooms will drop and yields will be decreased. If possible, avoid wetting leaves. This will help minimize plant diseases.
The preferred soil pH is about 5.8 to 6.5. Green beans can be successfully grown in containers.
Harvesting details
Harvest early for best stringless beans. Beans should be picked while the pods still snap, and the beans have not filled the pod out completely. Beans get tough and stringy if allowed to grow too big. If beans are picked when they are ready, the plants will continue producing for several weeks. When harvesting, use two hands to hold the bean and pull it from the stem, yanking it off the stem with one hand can often damage the plant.
Pick regularly to encourage new pod set.
Current Seed Start & Transplant Dates
Note: Seed starting and transplant dates do not always correlate one to one with dates shown below. Note correct start and expected transplant dates on the tag of the tray for seed germination. Adjust dates with plant tags on a yearly basis if necessary. 8 ounces of fertilizer is about 1 cup. Consider Sustane various NPK and Alfalfa Meal or Blood Meal for nitrogen.
Athens
Franklin
Direct Sow Dates ( if any )
Direct Sow Details: Depth: 1" | 6" apart on 3' bed - 4 per square foot.