When to Seed Bush Beans
Bush beans are a fast-maturing, frost sensitive crop that should be directly seeded into the garden after all danger of frost has passed.
Where to Plant Bush Beans
Bush beans will want a spot with full sun and loose, well-draining soil. They’ll love a spot rich in organic matter, but too much nitrogen can cause plants to produce more leaves than flowers or pods.
Growing Bush Beans
Plant bush beans one inch deep and one to three inches apart, in rows one to two feet apart. Once germinated, they can be thinned to their mature planting distance of three to four inches. Assuming your soil is high quality with well-aged organic matter, you shouldn’t have to apply any kind of fertilizer. Something that can be helpful is to use a legume inoculant. This ensures that legumes will have all of the symbiotic microbes they need. Typically, these microbes are already found in the soil but can be in low numbers if your garden is depleted or has recently been converted from a lawn. Make sure your beans get at least one inch of water per week.
Harvesting Bush Beans
Bush beans are known for maturing all at once (within a few weeks of each other), rather than pole beans that produce continuously. Plant bush beans in successions every two weeks for a continuous harvest. Pick bush beans regularly, when the pods have reached full length but the beans inside have not formed. Regular picking will encourage more production.