General
Bush beans (snap beans, French beans, wax beans) are compact, fast-maturing forms of Phaseolus vulgaris that do not need trellising. They thrive in warm, frost-free conditions and are ideal for succession sowing to extend harvests. Beans fix atmospheric nitrogen via Rhizobium bacteria, so avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Most varieties mature 50–60 days from sowing; pick regularly to keep plants productive. Wax beans have yellow pods; green and purple types are common; purple pods typically turn green when cooked.
Light
Full sun (6–8+ hours of direct light).
Soil type
Warm, well-drained loam or sandy loam enriched with mature compost; avoid waterlogged or cold soils.
Water requirement
Moderate, even moisture; about 20–25 mm per week, more during flowering and pod fill.
Nutrient requirement
Low to moderate; high nitrogen discourages flowering. Supply balanced organic nutrition and ample potassium.
Precultivation
Direct sowing is preferred, but you can pre-sprout or start in small modules 2–3 weeks before outdoor planting if soil is cold. Use 8–10 cm pots or cells to avoid root disturbance. Maintain 18–24°C for germination. Harden off for 5–7 days before transplanting after all frost risk has passed. In new beds, inoculate seed with Rhizobium phaseoli to boost nodulation.
Planting
Sow after soil warms to at least 12–15°C and all frost danger is past. Plant 3–4 cm deep. Row spacing 40–50 cm; within-row spacing 8–12 cm, or sow 2–3 seeds every 20 cm and thin to strongest. For containers, use 10–12 L per plant. Succession sow every 2 weeks until early July for continuous harvest. Mulch after soil has warmed to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Pruning
No pruning is required. Remove damaged or diseased foliage promptly. Harvesting regularly acts as natural growth regulation and keeps plants compact.
Maintenance
Keep evenly moist; water at soil level to limit foliar disease. Hoe lightly while small; then mulch. Feed soil rather than plant: incorporate compost before sowing; side-dress with compost, seaweed meal, or a low-N, higher-K organic fertilizer at early flowering. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds. Protect from cold winds with fleece early in the season. Use row cover against insects if needed, removing during flowering if pollinator activity is low.
Harvest
Begin main picking from mid-summer. Pick pods when smooth, crisp, and snap easily—before seeds bulge. Harvest every 2–3 days (daily in hot spells) to maintain yield; harvest in the cool morning and avoid handling wet foliage to reduce disease spread. For shelling types, allow seeds to fill slightly; for dry beans, let pods mature on plants if weather is settled, or pull plants and finish drying under cover. Strip plants before the first frost to collect remaining pods. Store fresh beans refrigerated and dry beans fully dried and sealed.
Common issues
Cold stress and slow germination in cold, wet soils—wait for warmth or pre-sprout. Slugs/snails damage seedlings—use barriers and hand-picking. Aphids—wash off with water or use soft soap; encourage ladybirds. Bean rust and leaf spots—improve airflow, avoid overhead watering, rotate 3–4 years. Anthracnose/halo blight—use clean seed, avoid handling wet plants. Poor pod set—excess nitrogen, drought, or heat >32°C; correct feeding and keep evenly moist. Manganese/iron lockout can occur in high pH; maintain pH near neutral.
Rotation schedule
Rotate legumes on a 4–6 year cycle. Follow beans with heavy feeders (brassicas) to benefit from residual nitrogen. Avoid planting after other legumes (peas, clover) to reduce disease carryover.
Pollination
Self-pollinating flowers; insects may improve set in cool weather.
Companion plants
Sweet corn, carrot, cucumber, brassicas, lettuce, marigold, dill, savory, strawberry.
Incompatible plants
Onion, garlic, leek, chive, fennel, sunflower (can compete).
