Zone 9 has many long time favorite crops, and rating high among them is the Green Bean. It is relatively easy to grow, produces quite a bit and can be stored for an extended time by canning them. Another great advantage to growing Green Beans in the spring is that they affix nitrogen to the soil for great leafy green crops in the fall.
Soil Prep
Green Beans are fairly undemanding when it comes to their soil. They like a well drained soil that is not overly rich in any nutrient. Basic soil amended with high quality compost will grow green beans well.
Sowing the Seeds
Green Beans of all types have fairly large seeds that can take up to a week to germinate. They should be sown in an area that has full sun for most of the day. If pole beans are being grown a support structure should be provided, bush beans will not need the structure. Once the seeds are sown the soil should be kept fairly moist. The moist soil will help soften the bean seed and allow for a more rapid germination.
Green Bean Plant Care
After germination Green Bean plants grow fairly rapidly. Pole beans will need a structure to climb within the first few days. A trellis works well for this or a simple wall made of bamboo works well. For some bush beans a stick of bamboo may be needed to support the plant once it reaches mature size.
Because Green Beans afix nitrogen to the soil themselves (they have a symbiotic bacteria that lives in their root structure that takes nitrogen from the air and places it in the soil in a usable form), they do not need any nitrogen fertilizer. Fertilize the plants once a week with high quality fertilizers. The best fertilizers are low in nitrogen and moderate in other nutrients. High quality compost should be mixed into the soil 1 or 2 times a month as well.
Harvesting Green Beans
It is best to harvest most varieties of Green Beans as soon as they get the thickness of a standard pencil (there are a few exceptions). The best way to harvest them is to either pinch or cut the stem directly above the bean and remove the stem before placing them in the basket or bucket.
Pole Beans
Pole beans will constantly produce beans as long as they are alive Because of this indeterminate growth and production it is best to harvest early and harvest often. The frequent harvesting of pole beans will encourage the plant to produce more and to produce more often.
Bush Beans
Bush beans will only produce one or two harvests per plant. Most of their beans will be ready to pick at the same time and should be harvest at the same time. Some plants will produce a second set of beans if all beans are harvested at the same time.
Saving Seed
If the Green Beans that are grown are not hybrids it is possible to harvest and save some seed for the next season. The best method of doing this is to allow one plant to grow the beans to full maturity. These beans will not be very tasty, but they will make for great seed next season. Just harvest the beans, remove them from their pods and allow them to dry.
