How to Grow Green Beans in a Pot

Green beans come in many different varieties and can be grown as a bush or as a vine. Whether you have a lot of gardening space or very little of it, green beans are the perfect vegetable to plant because when grown on the vine, don't require much space. Today we'll show you how to grow green beans in a pot with our easy to follow gardening guide. Whether you're growing green beans, runner beans, or lima beans, the instructions will be pretty much the same. After all, beans are beans, but there are many varieties to choose from!

Growing green beans in containers is easy – they'll need access to full sun, large pots so they can spread out and grow, and a good quality potting soil. If you don't have a lot of gardening space, learning how to plant green beans in containers is crucial! This will enable you to start green bean seeds earlier than intended, and will also allow you to move the pot around as you see fit.

Plant your green beans at the beginning of the growing season, usually early spring. Be sure to bring your potted green beans indoors at night, especially if there is danger of frost.

How to Grow Beans in a Pot or Container

Choosing a Pot or Container:

• Choose a pot or container that is deep enough to grow your beans in. Depending on the variety of beans you are growing, make sure to always follow the instructions on the package.
• Pole beans, for example, need about 8-9 inches of depth, while bush beans can do with 6-7 inches.
• Choose a pot with good drainage holes.
• As a rule of thumb, plant 9 bean seeds for every 12 inches of surface space.

How to Plant Green Beans in Containers:

• Fill your pot or container with a good quality potting mix that's suggested for vegetable planting.
• Use equal parts compost with pasteurized soil.
• Alternatively, you can also make your own potting mix by mixing equal parts sphagnum moss or compost with pasteurized soil and vermiculite or perlite.
• Add some vegetable fertilizer or manure prior to planting.
• You may also use a soilless mix.
• Sow seeds about an inch deep into the soil and space them about 3 inches apart.
• For the vine varieties, you can plant 2-3 seeds into the same hole.
• Water your seeds, and keep the soil moist while germination occurs.
• Your bean seedlings should sprout within 5-8 days.
• Once sprouted, spread mulch onto the soil to keep it moist.
• Place your potted beans in a sunny spot.

Care:

• Bean plants love water, so make sure the soil is moist at all times and water frequently.
• Provide irrigation to your green bean plants once the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry.
• Fertilize once a month using a diluted liquid vegetable fertilizer.
• Harvest your beans within 45-65 days of planting, depending on the variety.
• If you're growing pole beans, make sure to provide them with a stake or trellis to climb on.
• Keep an eye out for pests. If you do see an infestation, spray your green bean plants with vegetable friendly neem oil.

Green Bean Harvest:

• Your green beans should be ready for harvest within 45-65 days of planting.
• Harvest the green beans when they are about medium sized with firm pods.
• You may use them fresh or freeze them for a later date.
• When harvesting green beans, you should remember that the more you pick, the more beans will set.
• Bush beans are generally ready to be picked between 50 to 55 days, while pole beans are ready for harvest in 55 to 65 days.
• When harvesting, make sure to pull the bean gently from the vine or by snapping it off at the vine end.

Green Bean Pests and Diseases:

Unfortunately, pests and insects also love green beans, so make sure to always keep an eye out for any critters ready to consume your crop. These include, but are not limited to: Mexican bean beetles, slugs, and Japanese beetles. Additionally, animals can also consume your bean plants, so keep an eye out for deer and groundhogs.

In terms of diseases, green bean plants can be susceptible to Alternaria or Angular leaf spot, especially if the plant is left in damp conditions. To prevent green bean diseases, keep your plant dry and never crowd the plants. Making sure they receive plenty of good air circulation is key to avoiding diseases.

Green Bean Varieties:

There are plenty of different types of green bean varieties you can grow, and these are some of the more popular ones:

• Bountiful: A stringless heirloom bush bean that produces early.
• Kentucky Wonder: An older string pole variety.
• Lazy Housewife: Named so because it doesn't require stringing, this variety is a German heirloom pole bean.
• Golden Wax Bean: Yellow bush bean that produces easily.
• Triomphe de Farcy: a French haricot vert heirloom bush bean.
• Royal Burgundy: An early producing bush bean with purple pods that turn green when cooked.
• Romano: A bush or pole variety from Italy that has a meaty flavor.

So now that you know how to grow green beans in a pot, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to planting! Happy Planting!