How to Grow Bush Beans?

Bush Beans Overview

Bush beans are one of the most popular vegetable to grow in containers. They benefit from the warmth and protection that the containers provide. Beans may be vined or bushy and come in several sizes and colors. It is one of the easiest to vegetables to grow and typically produce a sizable crop. This document focuses on growing Bush Beans.

Table 1 Planting Guide

Bush Beans Prerequisites

• Plant Type: Can be grown throughout the year, except for very harsh winters.
• Light: Full sun
• Water: When it comes to watering bush beans in container gardens, keep the potting soil constantly moist, but never muddy.

Bush Beans Growing Steps

The following steps define the process from seed to harvest.

Note: Bean seedlings are very sensitive to transplant. It is advisable to directly sow the seeds in the container.

1. You can sow the heirloom seeds of bush beans from My Green Vault. The depth of the container size can be of 6 to 7 inches.

2. Place individual bean seeds onto the soil and cover with 2 more inches of soil.

3. Prepare a good growing medium. A good, simple option is a mix of two parts potting soil, one part Coco Peat (CP) and one part Vermi Compost (VC). The soil and VC provides your plant with the nutrients it needs, while the CP mix retains the moisture.

4. Place your pot in a sunny location. You do not have to support bush beans - they support themselves.

Bush Beans Plant Maintenance

Bush beans require evenly moist soil to ensure the best and fast growth. Do not over water or allow the soil to dry out.

1. When your bush beans bloom, to help promote greater plant productivity, add adequate amount of VC or Compost Tea (CT).

Note: For more information on CT preparation and application, refer to ***. 2. Make sure your bush beans receive at least 1“-1 1/2” of water a week.

2. Once the soil has warmed, mulch around bush beans to retain soil moisture and an even growing temperature.

Bush Beans Companion Plants

Green pea, sweet corn, and all varieties of lettuce.

Bush Beans Plant Protection

Bush Beans Pests

Bush beans can be attacked by the following:

• Thrips
• Pod borer
• White flies
• Aphids
• Ash Weevil

Bush Beans Diseases

• Powdery mildew
• Rust
• Anthracnose
• Root rot
• Leaf spot

Bush Beans Organic Control

Once you have identified the troublemakers, you can control them with an assortment of organic pest-control methods. The following list contains few methods:

a. Thrips

– For mild to moderate problems, such as only a small percentage of leaves being affected, just remove the leaves that have the pest problem

– Blue sticky traps

– Spray Neem oil every alternate day

b. Pod bearer

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c. White flies

– Monitor the whitefly with yellow sticky trap

– Spray Neem oil

Note: For more information on neem oil dilution and application, refer to ***. d. Aphids

– Spray home made garlic and insecticidal soap solution

Note: For more information on preparation and application of garlic and insecticidal soap spray, refer to ***

e. Ash Weevil

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f. Powdery mildew

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g. Rust

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h. Anthracnose

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i. Root rot

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j. Leaf spot

– Remove the affected plants in the early stages to control the vector

Bush Beans Harvesting

Your organic bush beans are ready for harvest when the pods will begin to bulge.

The time from planting to harvest is 45 to 75 days from seed. Pinch or snip them off carefully to avoid damaging the plant. Harvest often to get the most from your plant before the growing season ends!