Bush beans are among the easiest and most productive vegetables for beginners. They grow as compact plants about 1 to 2 feet tall, need no support and produce a heavy crop of green, yellow or purple pods within two months. Each planting crops for about three weeks, so sowing every few weeks keeps the harvest going. This page covers when to sow, how to space them, how to care for them and when to pick.
Bush beans at a glance
| Type | Vegetable |
|---|---|
| Season | Warm-season |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Plant spacing | 4 in |
| Row spacing | 18 in |
| Per square foot | 9 |
| Seed depth | 1 in |
| Days to maturity | 50–60 from seed |
| How to start | Direct sow after last frost |
| Water | 1 in per week |
These are the same numbers our plant spacing, square foot and harvest date calculators use. See every crop in the plant database.
When to plant bush beans
Beans are tender to frost and seeds rot in cold, wet soil. Sow directly outdoors after your last spring frost, once the soil has warmed to at least 60°F. For a steady supply, sow a new batch every 2 to 3 weeks until about 8 to 10 weeks before your first fall frost.
Find your dates with the frost dates by ZIP code tool, and plan repeat sowings with the succession planting planner.
How to plant bush beans
- Choose full sun. At least 6 to 8 hours a day.
- Sow 1 inch deep. Sow directly at the spacing in the table above. Beans do not like being transplanted.
- Skip the fertilizer. Beans fix their own nitrogen. Rich soil with some compost is all they need; extra nitrogen gives leaves instead of pods.
- Plant in blocks. Planting in a block or double rows lets plants support each other. The square foot gardening calculator shows how many fit.
Caring for bush beans
Keep the soil evenly moist, about an inch of water a week, and especially during flowering and pod set. Water at the base in the morning, because wet leaves spread disease. Mulch once plants are a few inches tall. The garden watering calculator turns this into gallons.
Weed carefully; bean roots are shallow. Avoid working among plants when the leaves are wet, which spreads bacterial and fungal diseases from plant to plant.
Companion plants
| Grow nearby | Corn, cucumbers, squash, carrots, potatoes, strawberries, marigolds |
|---|---|
| Keep apart | Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots; fennel |
Beans add nitrogen that helps heavy feeders such as corn and squash. Marigolds attract beneficial insects, and potatoes and beans are said to help deter each other's beetles. Check other pairings with the companion plant finder.
Common problems
| Problem | What you see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mexican bean beetle | Copper beetles with black spots; yellow spiny larvae; lacy, skeletonized leaves | Hand-pick beetles and larvae and crush yellow egg clusters under leaves. See the pest identifier. |
| Seeds rot | Few seedlings in cold, wet soil | Wait until the soil reaches 60°F before sowing. |
| Bean rust | Small rusty orange spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves, water at the base, and avoid touching wet plants. |
| Flowers drop | Plants flower but set few pods | Usually heat above about 90°F or dry soil. Keep watered; production resumes when it cools. |
| Aphids | Clusters of small insects on stems and leaves | Spray off with water. |
Not sure what you are looking at? The plant problem identifier ranks likely causes from the symptoms you see.
When and how to harvest
Pick bush beans when the pods are firm, smooth and about as thick as a pencil, before the seeds inside start to bulge. That is usually 50 to 60 days after sowing and about 2 to 3 weeks after flowering starts. Snap a pod: a fresh bean breaks cleanly.
Pick every 2 to 3 days. Regular picking keeps plants producing; pods left to mature tell the plant to stop. Hold the stem with one hand and pull or snip the pod with the other. Store unwashed beans in the fridge for up to a week. Use the harvest date calculator to plan.
Plan your bush beans
- Plant spacing calculator: how many plants fit your bed
- Planting calendar: sowing and transplant dates for your frost dates
- Frost dates by ZIP code: your last spring and first fall frost
- Harvest date calculator: when your crop will be ready
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should I plant bush beans?
Space bush beans 4 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart. In a square foot garden, plant 9 per square foot.
How deep do I plant bush bean seeds?
Sow seeds 1 inch deep.
How long do bush beans take to grow?
Most varieties are ready 50–60 days from seed. Check the seed packet, because early and late varieties differ.
How much water do bush beans need?
About 1 inch of water a week, from rain and watering combined. Water at the base in the morning; wet leaves spread disease.
What is the difference between bush beans and pole beans?
Bush beans grow as compact plants that need no support and produce a big crop over about 3 weeks. Pole beans climb 6 to 8 feet, need support and produce over a longer period.
How do I keep bush beans producing?
Pick pods every 2 to 3 days before the seeds bulge, keep the soil moist and sow a new batch every 2 to 3 weeks.