Snap beans can be tall-growing pole-type beans, half-runners or the low-growing bush-type varieties. They are a warm-season crop and rapid growers that can produce large yields while requiring little attention.

Soil Preparation
Beans grow best in full sun and well-drained, fertile, and friable (crumbly) soil so seedling emergence is not inhibited. Before planting green beans, remove all weeds and trash from the planting area.

Planting
Beans should be planted in the spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed, but during excessively hot weather they may drop their blossoms and pods. In the fall, plant them 10 to 12 weeks before the first expected frost. Be sure to check our “Plant Hardiness Zones” tool, under our “Tool Shed” menu, to find your specific plant hardiness zone. To help prevent disease, alternate the location in your garden of bean plantings with a different vegetable crop each year.

(See Chart Below for Recommended Varieties)

Plant beans to a depth of 1 to 1 ½ inches with the seeds spaced 2 to 4 inches apart.

Green bean seeds may crack or germinate poorly if exposed to very moist conditions, so do not soak the seeds before planting or water too heavily immediately after planting.

Fertilizing
Beans prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Green beans are a low user of nutrients and do not require high amounts of fertilizer. Apply a 10-20-10 fertilizer lightly on the planting area and then mix it in with the top 3 to 4 inches of soil before planting.

Fertilize your plants once a week with an application of a balanced fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro Plant Food.

Watering
Once planted, keep the soil evenly moist. This is especially important from flower bud formation to pod set. Too much or too little water causes blossom and pod drop. Provide bean plants with about 1 inch of water per week. Extremes in soil moisture can also lead to malformed pods in which only the first few seeds develop, leaving the rest of the bean pod shriveled. Water early in the morning to allow plants to dry quickly and reduce the opportunity for disease infection. Drip irrigation is recommended to help keep the foliage dry.

Weed Control
Because beans are shallowly rooted, do not dig too deep when using a hoe, or pulling weeds. To avoid spreading diseases, do not weed when the foliage is wet. Applying mulch will prevent many weeds as well as help retain soil moisture. Use organic mulches such as weathered straw, untreated lawn clippings, or shredded bark. Apply mulch 2 to 3 inches deep after soil has warmed. Black plastic provides excellent weed control as well as warming the soil, which may allow earlier planting. Lay the plastic over the planting area and cut slits for planting seed.

Insects
Cutworms are 3/4” curled caterpillars that, if present, can be found just under soil line. They cut plants off at soil line, chew 1/4’’ holes in pods or seeds, and occasionally chew leaves. Apply a Bacillus thuringiensis based insecticide to control them.

Aphids are small, whitish insects that may be found in masses on the underside of leaves. If present, leaves become yellow, sticky with honeydew. Hose off underside of leaves to knock off aphids.

Mites may appear as tiny ‘’dust specks” moving on the underside of leaves. If present, leaves may appear bronzed or yellowed with leaves and stems heavily webbed. Hose off underside of leaves to knock off mites.

Diseases
Diseases may be a problem during cool, wet weather. A variety of viruses attack beans and each produces symptoms characteristic of the particular virus species such as leaves mottled with yellow and green patchwork, leaves distorted or stunted, plants stunted. Treat with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides can be used.

To control bean diseases, do not handle or work among bean plants when the foliage is wet from dew or rain

Harvesting
Green beans are ready to pick when the pods begin to fill with seed, but before they begin to bulge. They should be about the size of a small pencil. Over-mature beans are tough and stringy. Pick them carefully to avoid damaging the plant. Plants will continue to produce new beans over the course of several weeks.

Storing
Fresh beans can be stored in the refrigerator, in sealed plastic bags or other containers. They usually can be stored in the refrigerator for a week.

Recommended Varieties
The following chart lists the recommended varieties, days to harvest, spring planting dates, and where applicable, fall planting dates for green beans in each state. Wherever possible, the information in the chart is in accordance with each state’s Cooperative Extension guidelines.

State	Variety - Days to Harvest	Spring Planting Dates	Fall Planting Dates
Alabama (AL)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Contender • Green Crop • Derby	Apr. 1 - 30	Aug. 5 - 20
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-75 • Dade • Kentucky Wonder • Kentucky Blue	Apr. 10 - 30	July 20 - Aug. 5
Alaska (AK)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Contender • Provider • Strike • Top Crop • Royal Burgundy • Roma	June
Arizona (AZ)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Bush Kentucky Wonder • Contender • Provider • Tendercrop	- Elevation - [ 10 to 1000 feet ] • Feb.1 - Mar. 1 [ 1000 to 2000 feet ] • Feb. 15 - Mar. 15 [ 2000 to 3000 feet ] • Mar. 1 - Apr. 1 [ 3000 to 4500 feet ] • Apr. 25 - July 15 [ 4500 to 6000 feet ] • May 15-July 1 [ Above 6000 feet ] • May 25-June 15	- Elevation - [ 10 to 1000 feet ] • August 1 - September 1 [ 1000 to 2000 feet ] • July 25 - Aug. 15 [ 2000 to 3000 feet ] • July 15 - Aug. 15
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-75 • Blue Lake • Kentucky Wonder • Kentucky Blue	- Elevation - [ 3000 to 4500 feet ] • Apr. 25-July 15 [ 4500 to 6000 feet ] • May 15-July 1 [ Above 6000 feet ] • May 25-June 15	- Elevation - [ 10 to 1000 feet ] • Aug. 1 - Sept. 1 [ 1000 to 2000 feet ] • July 15 - Aug. 15 [ 2000 to 3000 feet ] • July 15 - Aug. 10
Arkansas (AR)	[ Bush Beans ] • Provider - 52 • Bush Blue Lake - 55 • Contender - 48 • Roma II - 56 • Topcrop - 48	[ Northern Arkansas ] • May 1 - 15 [ Southern Arkansas ] • Apr. 15 - 30
	[ Pole Beans ] • Kentucky Wonder - 65 • Kentucky Blue - 58	[ Northern Arkansas ] • May 1 - 15 [ Southern Arkansas ] • Apr. 15 - 30
California (CA)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Magnum • Greencrop • Calgreen • Benchmark • Strike • Landmark	[ South Coast ] • Feb. - Aug. [ Central Valley ] • April - May	[ Central Valley ] • August [ Southern Desert ] • August - September
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Slenderwax • Goldrush	[ South Coast ] • Feb. - Aug. [ Central Valley ] • April - May	[ Central Valley ] • August [ Southern Desert ] • August - September
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-75 • Kentucky Wonder • Blue Lake	[ South Coast ] • Feb. - Aug. [ Central Valley ] • April - May	[ Central Valley ] • August [ Southern Desert ] • August - September
Colorado (CO)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Bush Blue Lake • Tendergreen	[ Northern ] • June [ Southern ] • April - May
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-75 • Kentucky Wonder • Kentucky Blue	[ Northern ] • June [ Southern ] • April - May
Connecticut (CT)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Bush Blue Lake • Greensleeves • Provider • Tenderpod • Greencrop • Roma • Derby	May 15 - 31
	[ Bush Beans - Yellow ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Slenderwax • Goldcrop • Golden Butter Wax • Gold Rush	May 15 - 31
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-75 • Romano • Blue Lake • Rust Resistant • Kentucky Wonder • French Horticultural	May 15 - 31
Delaware (DE)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 50-70 • Advantage • Caprice • Foremost • Hickok • Inspiration • Prevail • Provider • Roma II • Valentino	Apr. 10 - Aug. 10
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] Days to Harvest: 70-85 • Eureka • Goldrush • Uranus	Apr. 10 - Aug. 10
Florida (FL)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Bush Blue Lake • Contender • Roma II • Provider • Cherokee Wax	[ North Florida ] • March - Apr. [ Central Florida ] • Feb. - Apr.	[ North Florida ] • Aug. - Sept. [ Central Florida ] • Sept. [ South Florida ] • Sept. - Apr.
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest:55-70 • McCaslan • Kentucky Wonder • Blue Lake	[ North Florida ] • March - Apr. [ Central Florida ] • Feb. - Apr.	[ North Florida ] • Aug. - Sept [ Central Florida ] • Aug. - Sept [ South Florida ] • Aug. - Apr.
Georgia (GA)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Bronco • Blue Lake 274 • Roma • Blue Lake • Dade • Kentucky Wonder	Mar. 15 – May 1	July 5 – Aug. 10
	[ Beans - Half-runner ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • State • White • Volunteer • Kentucky Runner	Mar. 15 – May 1	July 5 – Aug. 10
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 65-75 • Blue Lake • Dade • Kentucky Blue • Moccasin	Mar. 15 – May 10	July 1 – Aug. 1
Hawaii (HI)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Bush Blue Lake • Greencrop • Magnum	Mar. 1 - 15
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 65-75 • Hawaiian Wonder • Poamoho • Manoa Wonder • Kentucky Wonder • Blue Lake	Mar. 1 - 15
Idaho (ID)	[ Bush Beans ] • Blue Lake Bush - 58 • Provider - 50 • Slenderette - 53 • Tendergreen Improved - 57 • Pencil Pod - 58	May 10 - 24
Illinois (IL)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] • Blue Lake 274 - 58 • Contender - 53 • Derby - 57 • Provider - 52 • Tendercrop - 54 • Tendergreen - 57 • Topcrop - 51	Apr. 25 - July 15
	[ Bush Beans - Yellow ] • Cherokee Wax - 52 • Gold Crop - 54 • Slender Wax - 56	Apr. 25 - July 15
Indiana (IN)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 65-75 • Benchmark • Hialeah • Opus • Rushmore • Tema • Venture	May 15 - June 15
	[ Bush Beans - Yellow ] Days to Harvest: 65-75 • Eureka • Kinghorn Wax • Nugget	May 15 - June 15
Iowa (IA)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 65-75 • Ambra • Benchmark • Bush Blue Lake 274 • Derby • Fastina • Provider • Strike • Tema • Tendercrop • Topcrop	May 5 - Aug. 1
	[ Bush Beans - Yellow ] Days to Harvest: 65-75 • Gold Crop • Gold Mine • Gold Rush • Goldenrod • Kinghorn Wax • Slenderwax • Sunburst	May 5 - Aug. 1
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 65-75 • Blue Lake • Kentucky Blue • Kentucky Wonder	May 5 - Aug. 1
Kansas (KS)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Contender • Derby • Jade • Provider • Royal Burgundy • Strike • Tendercrop • Xera	May 2 - June 10
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Carson • Eureka • Goldmine	May 2 - June 10
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 65-75 • Kentucky Blue • Kentucky Wonder • Northeaster • Purple King	May 2 - June 10
Kentucky (KY)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] • Provider - 50 • Romano - 50 • State Half Runner - 52 • Tendercrop - 54 • Blue Lake Bush 274 - 58 • Romano II - 59 • Maxibel - 60 • Volunteer - 60	Apr. 15 - 29
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] • Goldkist - 55	Apr. 15 - 29
	[ Pole Beans ] • Kentucky Blue - 60-65	Apr. 15 - 29
Louisiana (LA)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 48-55 • Provider • Contender • Blue Lake 274 • Royal Burgundy • Strike • Festina • Ambra • Magnum • Golden Rod Wax • Green Crop (flat) • Roma II • Bronco • Hialeah • Storm • Derby • Valentino • Caprice • Dusky Grenable • Lynx • Nash • Shade	Feb. 15 - May 15	Aug. 10 - Sept. 10
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-66 • Kentucky Blue • McCaslin • Blue Lake • Volunteer • State • La Purple • Kentucky Wonder 191 • Rattlesnake Yardlong	Feb. 15 - May 15	Aug. 10 - Aug. 31
Maine (ME)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 60-70 • Provider • Jade • Concessa	May 2 - 16
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] Days to Harvest: 60-70 • Indy Gold • Rodcor	May 2 - 16
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-75 • Blue Lake strains • Fortex • Kentucky Blue • Scarlet Runner	May 2 - 16
Maryland (MD)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Black Valentine • Bush Blue Lake • Contender • Dragon Tongue • Derby • Greensleeves • Jade • Provider • Roma II • Romano • Royal Burgundy • Spectacular • Tenderpod • Tenderette • Topcrop	May 5 - June 30	July 1 - Aug. 5
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Cherokee Wax • Goldcrop • Goldfinger • Goldrush • Major • Nugget • Rocdor • Yellow Wax	May 5 - June 30	July 1 - Aug. 5
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-75 • Kentucky Blue • Kentucky Wonder • Pole Romano • Rattlesnake • Trionfo Violetto	May 5 - June 30	July 1 - Aug. 5
Massachusetts (MA)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 60-70 • Kentucky Wonder 125 • Contender • Sonata • Ambra • Bronco • Pony Express • Concesa • Derby • Dusky • Jade • Provider • Tema • Boone • Greencrop • Romano 942	May 15 - July 15
	[ Bush Beans - Yellow ] Days to Harvest: 60-70 • Kentucky Wonder • Yellow Wax • Romano Gold	May 15 - July 15
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-75 • Kentucky Blue • White Half Runner • Fortex	May 15 - July 15
Michigan (MI)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest:45-60 • Provider • Greencrop • Jade • Strike • Derby • Bush Blue Lake 274	May 30 - June 30
	[ Bush Beans - Yellow ] Days to Harvest:45-60 • Goldcrop • Goldkist	May 30 - June 30
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-70 • Blue Lake • Kentucky Wonder	May 30 - June 30
Minnesota (MN)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] • Provider - 50 • Greencrop - 53 • Jade - 53 • Strike - 54 • Derby - 55 • Bush Blue Lake 274 - 56	May 15 - July 1
	[ Pole Beans ] • Blue Lake - 63 • Kentucky Wonder - 65	May 15 - July 1
	[ Bush Beans - Yellow ] • Goldcrop - 55 • Goldkist - 58	May 15 - July 1
	[ Bush Beans - Purple ] • Royal Burgundy - 51 • Purple Queen - 55	May 15 - July 1
Mississippi (MS)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Atlantic • Blue Lake • Contender • Derby • Magnum - 51 • Gator Green • Greencrop • Provider • Topcrop	March - Apr.	Aug.
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 65-70 • Alabama No. 1 • Blue Lake • Cornfield • Dade • Kentucky Blue • Kentucky Wonder • Kentucky Wonder 191 • Louisiana Purple • McCaslan	March - Apr.	Aug.
Missouri (MO)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Contender • Derby • Hialeah • Provider • Royal Burgundy • Strike • Tendercrop • Topcrop	[ North Missouri ] • Apr. 25 - May 30 [ Central Missouri ] • Apr. 15 - May 20 [ South Missouri ] • Apr. 5 - May 10	[ North Missouri ] • July 25 - Aug. 5 [ Central Missouri ] • July 25 - Aug. 10 [ South Missouri ] • Aug. 1 - 20
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-70 • Blue Lake • Kentucky Wonder	[ North Missouri ] • May 10 - 20 [ Central Missouri ] • May 1 - 20 [ South Missouri ] • Apr. 20 - May 15
	[ Beans - Half-runner ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Mountaineer • State • Striped	[ North Missouri ] • Apr. 25 - May 30 [ Central Missouri ] • Apr. 15 - May 20 [ South Missouri ] • Apr. 15 - May 10	[ North Missouri ] • July 25 - Aug. 5 [ Central Missouri ] • July 25 - Aug. 10 [ South Missouri ] • Aug. 1 - 20
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Gold Crop • Slenderwax • Gold Mine • Gold Rush • Eureka	[ North Missouri ] • Apr. 25 - May 30 [ Central Missouri ] • Apr. 15 - May 20 [ South Missouri ] • Apr. 5 - May 10	[ North Missouri ] • July 25 - Aug. 5 [ Central Missouri ] • July 25 - Aug. 10 [ South Missouri ] • Aug. 1 - 20
Montana (MT)	[ Bush Beans - Green] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Provider • Greencrop • Jade • Strike • Derby • Bush Blue Lake 274	May 17 - 31
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 65-70 • Blue Lake • Kentucky Wonder	May 17 - 31
Nebraska (NE)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] • Derby - 57 • Jade - 60 • Jumbo - 55 • Provider - 50 • Roma II - 59 • Straight 'N Narrow -53	Apr. 25 - May 9
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] • Goldito - 52-54 • Indy Gold - 52-56 • Isar - 52 • Slender Wax - 56	Apr. 25 - May 9
Nevada (NV)	[ Bush Beans - Green] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Blue Lake • Kentucky Wonder	May 15 - June 30
New Hampshire (NH)	[ Bush Beans - Green] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Blue Lake • Fortex • Kentucky Wonder • Kentucky Blue	May 20 - June 3
New Jersey (NJ)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 50-70 • Bronco • Charon • Hialeah • Roma II	Apr. 10 - Aug. 10
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] Days to Harvest: 70-85 • Eureka • Golden Rod • Goldrush	Apr. 10 - Aug. 10
New Mexico (NM)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] • Blue Lake - 55 • Blue Lake 274 - 58 • Kentucky Wonder - 60 • Derby - 57 • Kentucky Blue - 58 • Kentucky Blue - 58 • Roma II - 58 • Tendercrop - 53 • Tendergreen Improved - 54 • Xera - 54	[ North New Mexico ] • May 22 - June 5 [ South New Mexico ] • May 1 - 15
	[ Bush Beans - Yellow ] • Buttercrisp - 57 • Golden Rod - 55 • Goldkist - 55 • Rocdor - 52	[ North New Mexico ] • May 22 - June 5 [ South New Mexico ] • May 1 - 15
New York (NY)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 50-70 • Bush BlueLake • Charon • Derby • Jade • Provider • Roma II • Tendergreen Improved	May 15 - July 15
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] Days to Harvest: 70-85 • Golden Butterwax • Golden Rod • Rocdor	May 15 - July 15
North Carolina (NC)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 50-55 • Tenderette • Harvester • Astro • Roma • Derby • Dandy	Apr. 15 – July 15
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 65-70 • Kentucky Wonder 191 • Blue Lake Stringless • Romano • Kentucky Blue	Apr. 15 – July 1
North Dakota (ND)	[ Bush Beans - Green] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Provider • Greencrop • Jade • Strike • Derby • Bush Blue Lake 274	May 10 - May 30
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 65-70 • Blue Lake • Kentucky Wonder	May 10 - May 30
Ohio (OH)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Tendergreen • Tendercrop • Bush Blue Lake • Top Crop • Provider • Bush Romano • Derby • Espada	May - June
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Goldcrop • Sungold	May - June
	[ Bush Beans - Purple ] • Royal Burgundy - 51	May - June
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 65-70 • Kentucky Wonder • Kentucky Blue • Blue Lake • Romano	May - June
Oklahoma (OK)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Bush Blue Lake 47 • Bush Blue Lake 274 • Contender • Derby • Jade • Provider • Podsquad • Roma • Roma II • Strike • Topcrop • Verandon	Apr. 10 - 30
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Goldrush • Resistant Cherokee Wax	Apr. 10 - 30
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-90 • Kentucky Blue • Kentucky Wonder • Meralda • Pinto	Apr. 10 - 30
Oregon (OR)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Tendercrop • Venture • Slenderette • Oregon 91G • Oregon Trail • Provider • Jade • Oregon 54 • Roma II • Nickel • Grenoble	[ Oregon Coast ] • May - June [ Western Valleys ] • May - July [ High Elevations ] • April - June [ Columbia River Valley ] • April 15 - June
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-70 • Blue Lake • Kentucky Wonder • Romano • Cascade Giant • Kentucky Blue • Oregon Giant	[ Oregon Coast ] • May - June [ Western Valleys ] • May - July [ High Elevations ] • April - June [ Columbia River Valley ] • April 15 - June
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Goldenrod • Goldrush • Indy Gold • Slenderwax	[ Oregon Coast ] • May - June [ Western Valleys ] • May - July [ High Elevations ] • April - June [ Columbia River Valley ] • April 15 - June
Pennsylvania (PA)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] • Provider - 50 • Kentucky Wonder 125 - 55 • Blue Lake - 56 • Sequoia - 56 • Greencrop - 57 • Derby - 57 • Charon - 58 • Royal Burgundy - 58 • Maxibel - 59 • Roma II - 59 • Jade - 60	Apr. 6 - Aug. 1
Rhode Island (RI)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Bush Blue Lake • Greensleeves • Provider • Tenderpod • Greencrop • Roma • Derby	May 15 - 31
	[ Bush Beans - Yellow ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Slenderwax • Goldcrop • Golden Butter Wax • Gold Rush	May 15 - 31
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-75 • Romano • Blue Lake • Rust Resistant • Kentucky Wonder • French Horticultural	May 15 - 31
South Carolina (SC)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Bush Blue Lake 274 • Derby • Provider • Resistant Cherokee Wax • Roma II • Tendercrop • Venture	[ Piedmont ] • Apr. 15 - 30 [ Central ] • Apr. 1 - 15 [ Coastal ] • Mar. 15 - 30	[ Piedmont ] • Aug. 1 - 15 [ Central ] • Aug. 5 - 20 [ Coastal ] • Aug. 15 - 30
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-70 • Blue Lake • Kentucky blue • Kentucky Wonder • Kentucky Wonder 191 • Kwintus (Early Riser)	[ Piedmont ] • Apr. 15 - 30 [ Central ] • Apr. 5 - 20 [ Coastal ] • Mar. 20 - 30	[ Piedmont ] • July 15 - 25 [ Central ] • July 20 - 30 [ Coastal ] • Aug. 1 - 10
	[ Beans - Half-runner ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Mountaineer White	[ Piedmont ] • Apr. 15 - 30 [ Central ] • Apr. 1 - 15 [ Coastal ] • Mar. 15 - 30	[ Piedmont ] • Aug. 1 - 15 [ Central ] • Aug. 5 - 20 [ Coastal ] • Aug. 15 - 30
South Dakota (SD)	[ Bush Beans - Green] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Provider • Greencrop • Jade • Strike • Derby • Bush Blue Lake 274	May 10 - 24
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 65-70 • Blue Lake • Kentucky Wonder	May 10 - 24
Tennessee (TN)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 52-60 • Blue Lake • Top Crop • Derby • Roma II	Apr. 10 - June 20
	[ Beans - Half-runner ] Days to Harvest: 52-60 • Provider • Tendergreen Improved	Apr. 10 - June 20
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-65 • Kentucky Wonder • Blue Lake • McCaslan	Apr. 10 - June 20
Texas (TX)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Contender • Derby • Goldito • Maxibel • Provider • Roma II • Topcrop • Greencrop • Tendercrop • Tendergreen • Topcrop	[ Plant Hardiness Zone 6 ] • Apr. 15 - May 15 [ Plant Hardiness Zone 7 ] • Apr. 1 - May 5 [ Plant Hardiness Zone 8 ] • Mar. 5 - May 1 [ Plant Hardiness Zone 9A ] • Feb. 10 - Apr. 15 [ Plant Hardiness Zone 9B ] • Feb. 1 - Mar. 15	[ Plant Hardiness Zone 6 ] • July 15 [ Plant Hardiness Zone 7 ] • Aug. 1 [ Plant Hardiness Zone 8 ] • Sept. 1 [ Plant Hardiness Zone 9A ] • Sep. 10 [ Plant Hardiness Zone 9B ] • Oct. 1
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-70 • Kentucky Wonder • Garden of Eden • McCaslan • Northeaster • Romano	[ Plant Hardiness Zone 6 ] • Apr. 15 - May 1 [ Plant Hardiness Zone 7 ] • Apr. 1 - May 1 [ Plant Hardiness Zone 8 ] • Mar. 5 - Apr. 15 [ Plant Hardiness Zone 9A ] • Feb. 10 - Mar. 15 [ Plant Hardiness Zone 9B ] • Feb. 1 - Mar. 15
Utah (UT)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] • Blue Lake - 58 • Derby - 57 • Jade - 53 • Slenderette - 53 • Strike - 45	Apr. 19 - May 3
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] • Gold Crop - 54	Apr. 19 - May 3
Vermont (VT)	[ Bush Beans - Green] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Blue Lake • Fortex • Kentucky Wonder • Kentucky Blue	May 20 - June 3
Virginia (VA)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 50-70 • Ambra • Bronco • Caprice • Carlo • Charon • Dusky • Hialeah • Hickok • Nash • Pike • Roma II • Shade • Valentino	Apr. 6 - 20
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] Days to Harvest: 70-85 • Eureka • Rocdor	Apr. 6 - 20
Washington (WA)	[ Bush Beans ] Days to Harvest: 55-75 • Provider • Greencrop • Jade • Strike • Derby • Bush Blue Lake 274	May 15 - June 1
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 65–95 • Blue Lake • Kentucky Wonder	May 15 - June 1
West Virginia (WV)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 50-70 • Boone • Bronco • Caprice • Charon • Crockett • Hialeah • Provider • Roma II • Strike • Tema	May 1-15
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] Days to Harvest: 70-85 • Eureka • Goldrush	May 1-15
Wisconsin (WI)	[ Bush Beans - Green ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Romano • Blue Lake 274 • Contender • Derby • Improved Tender Green • Labrador • Provider • Sequoia • Tender Crop • Tender Pod • Top Crop • Royal Burgandy	May 1-15
	[ Pole Beans ] Days to Harvest: 60-65 • Blue Lake • Kentucky Blue • Kentucky Wonder • Scarlet Runner	May 1-15
	[ Bush Beans - Wax ] Days to Harvest: 50-60 • Blue Lake • Cherokee • Green Lake • Gold Crop • Gold Rush	May 1-15
Wyoming (WY)	[ Bush Beans ] • Bush Blue Lake 274 - 58 • Early Contender - 49 • Kentucky Wonder - 60 • Tenderpick - 54 • TopCrop - 51 • White Half Runner - 60	May 12 - July 1
	[ Pole Beans ] • Kentucky Blue - 65 • Kentucky Wonder - 67 • Neapolitan - 60 • Scarlet Runner - 65	May 12 - July 1

The post Green Beans first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Gardening dreams and plans, however, don’t generally include hours of watering, wilted plants or those pesky weeds. These unwanted guests aren’t just unattractive, but can also rob flowers and vegetables of water, nutrients and sunlight, therefore restricting the growth of prized plants.

Watering and controlling weeds in your containers and gardens need not be time-consuming or difficult. Practicing smart weed control and wise watering measures should be a simple part of garden care and can be easily incorporated into routines.

Soil to Build on
Amend before planting and improve growth and moisture control by mixing in a layer of rich compost from Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Garden Soil. This increases the water holding ability and water absorption of your soil. For container gardening, use Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix to help hold water longer.  Also, using a large pot helps keep plants from becoming root-bound quickly and thirsting for water. The more room plants have to grow, the less watering needed.

Mulch is a Must
A two or three inch layer of mulch on the garden will break down over time and add to the nutritional make-up of soil. Layering a hardwood mulch in flowerbeds or container gardens will accomplish three goals: helping to prevent weeds from getting established; giving beds and containers a finished look and holding moisture in the soil. Additionally, the Water Smart technology used in this product has a water channeling property. This prevents over-watering in flower and produce beds by channeling water directly to the roots, reducing the amount of water needed by up to 30 percent compared to ordinary mulches.

Water Wisely
Gardens and containers do require watering to thrive when rainfall is insufficient or infrequent, but a few watering tips can conserve time, water and help make the most of the rainfall that Mother Nature does provide. To maximize the effectiveness of watering, take care to water deeply by wetting soil thoroughly. Use a moisture meter to ensure that roots have received enough moisture. Make watering a regular routine, aiming at the base of the plant.

To water effectively, do it:
* After planting
* Before leaves wilt
* In the morning

Feed and Protect
With help from Miracle-Gro, your plants can grow bigger and more beautiful, without weeds to compete for space, nutrients and water. Combine feeding with weed prevention by using Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed All Purpose Plant Food Plus Weed Preventer. One application feeds plants and prevents weeds from appearing for up to three months. It’s an easy way to keep those pesky weeds from popping up.

Spot treatment
Don’t get carried away with weeds – it is not easy to catch every weed before it pops up. For only a handful of weeds, simply use a spot treatment or dig the culprit out. Roundup Weed & Grass Killer Sure Shot Foam is ideal for tough-to-reach weeds found in flower beds and vegetable gardens. It’s also great to use as an edger along driveways, walkways or fences or to spot treat weeds in patios, gravel or mulch, around trees and shrubs and other hard-to-reach areas.

Few gardeners enjoy pulling weeds or constant watering, so taking the measures to prevent weeds and make the most of watering early in the summer growing season is a great way to avoid backbreaking work later on. Soon your dreams will become reality as you enjoy fresh cut flowers on your kitchen table and corn on the cob dripping with butter on your dinner plate.

The post Smart Gardening: Water and Weed Wisely first appeared on The How Do Gardener.