Bean Plant Growth

There are many types of beans that can grow in your very own garden and they do not require any special care. The seeds of the bean grow into seedlings and then into mature plants. If you are attempting to grow bean plants in your vegetable garden for the first time then it is best for you to know more about the structure of the bean seed and its method of germination. A bean seed has two halves that are a storehouse of nutrients and are known as cotyledons. A bean seed is oval in shape and a thick coating protects it until it grows in size. During the seed germination process, a tiny seedling appears between the halves of the seeds and gradually grows in size. Here we will discuss all about bean plants and how they grow.

How to Grow Bean Plants

Although there are many types of beans that can be found, beans are basically of two types. Bush beans and vine beans. Bush beans grow on bushy shrubs and do not require any support as they grow close to the ground. A vine bean on the other hand as the name suggests, is a climber and requires a pole, trellis or a fence to grow. Some of the most common varieties of beans that you can grow in your garden are green beans, lima beans, yellow beans, fava beans, shell beans, soybeans and scarlet runner beans. The first step in growing bean plants is to go to the local nursery and buy organic bean seeds. You can also use dried beans for that you have purchased from the supermarket. If you are going to use dried beans, then soak them in water and put them on a damp paper towel, folding it over the beans. Keep the paper towel moist for two to three days and then you will see little sprouts from the beans. These sprouted beans can be now used for planting in your garden.

For good bean plant growth, preparing the soil is very important. As beans grow well in rich well-drained soil, rake the soil with a shovel and add compost to the soil. Place the seeds or the sprouted beans at a distance of 3 inches in neat rows which are 3 feet apart. For proper bean growth, leaving enough room between the rows is of utmost importance as they can grow without being overcrowded. If you are growing vine beans then additional support will be necessary so that the beans can grow vertically. Install a fence, trellis or poles so that the vines can climb around it. The best sowing time for beans is after the threat of frost or chills have passed as they require quite a good amount of sunlight for proper bean plant growth. If you live in a region with high humidity then it is a good idea to increase the distance between the plants so that there is proper air circulation.

After you are done planting the seeds or the bean sprouts, water the beans everyday until you see the seedlings developing. It might take around 2 to 10 days before you will see your first sprout. At this point, avoid overwatering the seedling or it might rot and damage it. As the seedling grows into a full-fledged bean plant, remove any weeds and grass that might grow in between the rows of beans. After a few days, you will see that the mature bean plant grow very quick and there are already delicious beans growing in profusion. Young beans are very tender and you have to allow them to grow a bit more until it is fully mature. At this point pick beans, when the pods are still tender as they are really tasty to be used as stir fries.

Beans are very nutritious and are also full of proteins. Freezing fresh green beans is also a wonderful way to enjoy beans when they are no longer growing in your garden. The growth of a bean plant does not require too much care and all you need to do is to water it regularly and make sure that it receives sunlight.