How to Grow Bean Seeds

Thinking about garden fresh green beans, growing your own dried soup beans for winter, or looking for a great garden project with a child… in other words, are you wondering how to grow bean seeds? Some beans need to grow on trellises, and some grow as sturdy self-supporting bushes. This ehow article covers how to grow a healthy crop of beans, no matter which kind of bean you plan to plant.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bean seeds
• Bean inoculate
• Bamboo pole or other climbing structure if beans are climbers rather than bush beans.

1. Soak overnight. Soak bean seeds overnight in quality drinking water. This will give them a head start. They'll soak up a lot of water, so make sure you initially pour in more water volume than beans.

2. Drain and inoculate. Pour bean seeds into a sieve, then while still wet, into a container that holds the inoculate and toss very gently until they are completely coated. Beans are a legume, and this natural inoculate gives them yet another head start by starting them off immediately with beneficial soil organisms that boost their growth. Since you'll be planting the very next day, do this step after all danger of frost has passed, and you know you'll have time to plant the following day.

3. Plant and support. Plant about 1 inch deep and 2 or 3 inches apart in fertile, well-drained soil that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day. If your bean seed package states that they’re climbing beans (rather than bush beans), firmly insert a stake for climbing. It can be as simple as a stick, or use a bamboo pole purchased from a garden store. Check the seed package to see how tall the climbing beans grow to determine the height of the stake. Water thoroughly, but don’t let soil get or remain soggy.

4. Thin for space and air circulation. When sprouts shoot up, thin (or transplant to new areas) to 8 inches apart.

5. Feed now and then. Throughout the growing season, water occasionally with compost tea, or see the Resources below which leads to another e-how article on how to make a houseplant food that also works for growing bean seeds.

Tips & Warnings

• Author disclaims liability and offers article for educational purposes only. Parents are responsible for any activities involving their children. Author’s articles are registered with the national copyright office and protected with Copyscape

Resources

• Plant food that works for beans

[AmyRose]

on 5/20/2009 Hi, Kittymama59:The method shown here for sprouting beans ahead of time before planting in garden soil or potting soil is a favorite of many people, but your beans should sprout fine in your jiffy pots as long as you keep them moist. "Inoculate" is a powdery substance sold at garden stores and through seed catalogs that makes beans grow better, sometimes it's near the packets of beans and various companies sell it in various containers, so I can't tell you exactly what a container will look like. It could be a plastic bag or a cardboard box, or something else. If you still want to use it, sprinkle some in the hole when it comes time to plant your seeds in their permanent location.

[kittymama59]

on 5/20/2009 What the heck is the inoculate? This site is great but when I don't understand I am not sure where to go to ask. Thought I would try posting it here and seeing if anyone out there would like to help me. I am planting green beans for the first time and just popped the seeds in my jiffy pots and they are sitting now as I wait for something to grow.So do the seeds need to be germinated? Does not even mention this on the seed packet. Anyhow help out there would be great!

[sonni57]

on 4/17/2009 Good info on how to grow bean seeds.