Lawn Guardian

When to Plant Green Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

legumeZones 3–11beginner

Reliable warm-season crop available in bush and pole varieties. Bush beans are compact and quick; pole beans produce longer but need support. Fix nitrogen in soil.

Planting calendar

Direct sow only -- beans do not transplant well; succession plant bush beans every 2-3 weeks

Spacing & harvest

• Plant spacing: 4-6 inches
• Row spacing: 18-24 inches
• Days to harvest: 50-65 days
• Ready when: Pods are firm, crisp, and snap easily; seeds inside are small and undeveloped; harvest every 2-3 days at peak

Companion planting

Plant near

• Corn — Classic Three Sisters -- beans fix nitrogen and climb corn stalks
• Zucchini — Three Sisters -- beans fix nitrogen
• Butternut Squash — Fixes nitrogen in Three Sisters combination
• Pumpkin — Fixes nitrogen for heavy-feeding pumpkins
• Acorn Squash — Fixes nitrogen for heavy-feeding squash
• Eggplant — Fixes nitrogen that eggplant needs
• Cucumber — Fixes nitrogen that cucumbers need
• Spinach — Provides shade for heat-sensitive spinach
• Swiss Chard — Beans fix nitrogen for chard
• Potato — Beans fix nitrogen that potatoes need
• Turnip — Fixes nitrogen for turnips

Keep away from

• Garlic — Garlic stunts bean growth
• Onion — Onions stunt bean growth
• Chives — Alliums may inhibit legume growth