How to plant:
Propagate by
seed
- Do not start seeds inside. Beans do not like to be transplanted.
Germination temperature: 70 F to 80 F
- Germination is slow and poor when soil temperatures are below 60 F.
Days to emergence: 8 to 10
- Germination may take two weeks or more if soil temperatures are below 60 F.
Seed can be saved 5 years.
Maintenance and care:
Do not plant until danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed.
Germination is poor when soil temperature is below 60 F. Cold air
temperatures (even above freezing) can injure plants and reduce yields.Plant seed one inch deep (deeper if soil is dry), about 2 inches apart, in rows 18 to 36 inches apart.
Soaking beans to hasten germination may damage seeds. Do not start seed inside.
For a steady supply of beans, make successive plantings until mid- to late July.
Relay-crop beans following harvest of cool-season crops, such as lettuce, spinach and peas.
Beans
require even moisture - about 1 inch per week - especially when
flowering and developing pods. If you water, avoid wetting foliage,
which encourages disease. Water early in the day so foliage dries
quickly. Mulch after second set of true leaves develops to help retain
moisture.
Do not use nitrogen fertilizers. Inoculating seed with
rhizobium bacteria may increase yields, especially in soils where beans
have not been grown before.
Pod set is often poor when temperatures exceed 90 F.
Deformed pods may be the result of lack of moisture, poor soil fertility or insect damage during blooming.
A three-year rotation helps reduce some diseases.
Pests:
Mexican bean beetles - Handpick and destroy beetles and eggs in small
plantings. Plant early to avoid this pest. Turn under any infested
plants after harvest.Aphids
- A hard stream of water can be used to remove aphids from plants. Wash
off with water occasionally as needed early in the day. Check for
evidence of natural enemies such as gray-brown or bloated parasitized
aphids and the presence of alligator-like larvae of lady beetles and
lacewings.
Leafhoppers - Small, light green to gray wedge-shaped
insects that suck plant juices, causing stunting, and carrying virus
diseases. No cultural control available.
Seedcorn maggot - Avoid
heavy manure or organic matter in garden which attract maggot flies and
encourages egg laying. Purchase insecticide-treated seed. Use gloves to
plant.
Spider mites (two-spotted) - Wash off with water
occasionally as needed early in the day. A hard stream of water can be
used to remove many mites from plants.
Diseases:
To reduce disease spread, do not work among wet plants.Bacterial
blights - Avoid wetting foliage if possible. Water early in the day so
aboveground plant parts will dry as quickly as possible. Avoid crowding
plants. Space apart to allow air circulation. Eliminate weeds around
plants and garden area to improve air circulation. Do not save your own
seed.
Bean common mosaic virus (BV-1 and NY 15) - Remove and
discard or destroy entire infested plant. Use resistant varieties:
Lancer, Provider,Blue Bush 274, Golden Butterwax, Royal Burgundy,
Tendercrop, Improved Tendergreen. Manage insect vectors.
White
mold - Avoid wetting foliage if possible. Water early in the day so
aboveground plant parts will dry as quickly as possible. Avoid crowding
plants. Space apart to allow air circulation. Eliminate weeds around
plants and garden area to improve air circulation. In autumn rake and
dispose of all fallen or diseased leaves and fruit. Crop rotation is
essential.
