Soil
Average, well drained soil.
Position
Full sun.
Frost tolerant
Warm-season annuals, cannot tolerate frost.
Feeding
Mix an organic fertilizer into the soil before planting, using rates given on the label. Supplemental fertilizer seldom required.
Companions
Celery, Corn, Cucumber, Potatoes, Strawberry, Catnip, Rosemary and Lettuce.
Spacing
Single Plants: 9″ (25cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 7″ (20cm) with 1′ 1″ (35cm) row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Plant seeds 2 inches deep and 3 inches apart in late spring, after the last frost has passed and the soil is warm. Make additional sowings until midsummer.
Notes
The pods of many dry beans can be eaten as snap beans when very young.
Harvesting
Gather pods when they dry to tan. Allow the harvested beans to dry indoors for one to two weeks before storing in a cool, dry place. Most varieties produce all at once.
Troubleshooting
Pods that come into contact with soil are prone to rot. Mulch to prevent this problem.
