Have you thought about growing your own fresh crop of green beans, but you’re worried about limited garden space? If mobility is an issue, or you simply don’t have the time to prepare a bed for growing vegetables, you can grow delicious green beans in containers!
Container gardening is affordable and practical, and it requires a lighter workload. Planting in pots also reduces the amount of space used in the garden. It also doesn’t require much land; an outdoor patio or balcony can be a bountiful veggie garden with the proper containers.
In addition to the practicality and space-saving benefits of container gardening, keeping plants in containers provides their roots with some additional protection. Containers can be moved to a new location if the plant appears to have unmet environmental needs. With all of these benefits, it’s a no-brainer! Let’s go over the steps to grow your crop of tasty green beans in a container.
Growing your own food can be immensely satisfying. And beans are one of the easiest and most productive plants you can grow – even if you only have a small space!
With just a pot and some basic care, you can harvest basketfuls of tasty, fresh beans from your own container garden. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about successfully growing beans in pots.
Choosing a Container
Beans grow on vines that can span several feet in length Pole beans in particular need good vertical support.
For bush beans, choose a container at least 12 inches wide and deep. For pole beans use a container that is 2-3 feet long and at least 10 inches wide and deep. This will give their vines enough room to grow.
Make sure the container has several drainage holes in the bottom to prevent waterlogging. Unglazed terracotta pots work well as they allow air to circulate and excess water to evaporate.
You can grow 6-9 bean plants in a 12 inch pot, allowing 3 inches between each seed. For larger containers with pole beans, plant seeds 4 inches apart along the length of the pot.
Self-watering containers are great for beans as their large leaves lose a lot of moisture on hot, windy days. The reservoir ensures continuous hydration.
Choosing a Potting Mix
Any high quality potting mix will provide beans with the drainage and nutrition they need. Aim for a mix containing:
- 1 part compost or sphagnum moss for moisture retention
- 1 part vermiculite or perlite for aeration
- 1 part pasteurized garden soil for nutrients
You can also purchase premixed vegetable garden soil. Or make your own soilless mix by combining equal parts peat moss, vermiculite and coconut coir.
Whichever potting mix you use, make sure to mix in a vegetable fertilizer or aged manure before planting. This will provide nutrients for the entire growing season.
Planting Beans
Beans grow best in warm weather. Wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting them outdoors.
You can get a head start by sowing them indoors 3-4 weeks before your last expected frost date. Just be sure to bring them inside if the temperature drops below 50°F.
Plant the beans 1 inch deep and water well after sowing. Bush beans will emerge in 5-8 days, while pole beans take up to 2 weeks.
Once the seedlings appear, add a layer of mulch over the soil to retain moisture. Organic materials like grass clippings, shredded leaves or straw work perfectly.
Caring for Beans
Beans are not very demanding, but they do require consistent moisture and nutrition:
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Water 1-2 inches per week. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Proper drainage is crucial to prevent rotting.
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Fertilize every 4 weeks. Use a liquid vegetable fertilizer, fish emulsion or compost tea. Beans are heavy feeders so they need regular nutrient replenishment.
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Support pole bean vines. Provide a trellis, poles or fencing for vines to climb up. Tie them loosely in place as they grow.
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Weed diligently. Beans don’t like competition. Remove weeds as soon as you spot them.
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Scout for pests. Watch for aphids, spider mites, Mexican bean beetles and other unwanted visitors. Use organic pest control methods if found.
With proper care, your beans will produce attractive flowers within 4-6 weeks of sowing. Soon after, the first tender pods will appear!
Harvesting Beans
Timing is everything when it comes to getting the best tasting beans:
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Bush beans – Begin harvesting once pods reach pencil size. Pick frequently to encourage more production.
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Pole beans – Allow pods to grow to 6-8 inches long. Harvest when seeds are still small.
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Snap beans – Pick when pods “snap” easily between fingers. Eat pods whole.
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Shell beans – Allow pods to mature fully. Remove beans and discard pods.
Always use scissors or pruners for clean cuts that won’t damage the plant.
Store freshly picked beans in the refrigerator and use within 3-5 days for maximum flavor and texture.
Tips for Maximizing Your Harvest
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Choose compact bush bean varieties like Provider Green Bush or Maxibel for containers.
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For pole beans, Kentucky Blue or Kentucky Wonder have excellent yields.
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Add compost or grass clippings as mulch to nourish plants and retain moisture.
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Use trellises, cages or poles to support vine growth upwards.
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Prune excessive foliage to improve air circulation and light exposure.
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Pick beans as soon as they reach ideal size to encourage more production.
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After heavy harvesting, boost plants with a high nitrogen fertilizer.
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Maintain consistent soil moisture. Allow pots to dry out only slightly between waterings.
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Place pots where they will get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
With the right variety, soil, and care, you can grow a big bounty of beans in containers – even with limited space. Just be sure to harvest frequently, and enjoy their fresh flavor all season long!
Step 1: Choose a Variety
This crop has two types: bush beans that grow on short plants and pole beans that climb.
There are two basic types of green beans:
- Bush beans, which grow on a short, bushy plant,
- Pole beans are climbing vines that need a trellis of some sort to grow on.
There are many varieties of beans to choose from. Surprise – they aren’t all green!
For a classic, flavorful bean and a booming crop, ‘Kentucky Wonder’ is a tasty heirloom bean that dates back to the 1800s. The 7” beans this plant produces are stringless if harvested young, and they are disease-resistant.
Try ‘Tavera Filet’ bush beans if you prefer the more refined look and flavor of French-style haricot verts. They require no staking or trellising and have a unique tenderness. These petite beans look lovely on the dinner table.
For a splash of color in the garden, ‘Trionfo Violetto’ pole beans are a gorgeous Italian heirloom variety. This striking plant gets quite tall with lavender flowers and deep purple beans that turn green when you cook them.Beans are a popular crop to garden vertically.
Step 3: Find the Right Location
Bean plants require adequate sunlight for a fruitful harvest, as partial shade reduces their yield.
Giving your bean plants the right amount of sunlight is vital to a bountiful harvest. While bean plants can grow in partial shade, their yield will significantly reduce. However, even though they are a warm-weather crop, too much sun will scorch the foliage and leave you with beans that aren’t nearly as plump and tender.
The ideal light situation is 4-5 hours of direct sunlight in the morning. The morning sun has all the advantages of the afternoon sun, with less harsh and dehydrating heat. Bush beans are more suited to shade than pole beans, so if you are short on sunny spots, try your hand at bush varieties first.
Protection from the harsh afternoon sun will go a long way toward extending your growing season. If you notice an abundance of green growth but relatively few flowers, try moving them to a sunnier spot.
How to Grow Beans in Containers, Complete Growing Guide
FAQ
Do beans grow well in containers?
The next season you can always add more. Happy Gardening! Bush green beans do well in containers as small as 8″ deep and 8″ wide per plant.
How big of a container do you need to grow beans?
Make sure your planting site is ready – see Preparing the ground and Putting up supports above. If planting in a container, choose multi-purpose or loam-based compost. Containers should be at least 75cm (30in) wide and 45cm (18in) deep for climbing beans, and 30–45cm (12–18in) wide for dwarf beans.
Can you grow green beans in a 5 gallon bucket?
- Bush vs. Pole Beans:
- Bush beans: are generally easier to grow in containers and don’t require trellises.
- Pole beans: need a larger container and a sturdy trellising system.
- Bush beans: are generally easier to grow in containers and don’t require trellises.
- Container Size:
- A 5-gallon bucket provides ample space for several bush bean plants.
- You can expect to plant a dozen or so seeds in a 5-gallon grow bag.
- A 5-gallon bucket provides ample space for several bush bean plants.
- Soil:
- Use a well-draining potting mix rather than garden soil in the bucket.
- Use a well-draining potting mix rather than garden soil in the bucket.
- Watering:
- Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
- Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
- Sunlight:
- Green beans need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
- Green beans need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
- Planting:
- Plant seeds after the last spring frost, when the soil has warmed to at least 48°F (9°C).
- Plant seeds after the last spring frost, when the soil has warmed to at least 48°F (9°C).
- Harvesting:
- Pick green beans regularly to encourage continued production.
- Pick green beans regularly to encourage continued production.
- Other Considerations:
- Make sure the bucket is clean and free of any toxic compounds.
- Consider adding a wicking system to help with watering.
- Make sure the bucket is clean and free of any toxic compounds.
Do beans like full sun or shade?
All beans require full sun and fertile, well-drained soil for maximum yield. Incorporate some organic matter and a complete fertilizer into the soil before planting.