How Long Does It Take For Beans to Grow?
Beans are an amazing plant to grow. They germinate well, store very well, and are very nutritious.
If you’re like me, then you love to eat beans. They are a great source of protein and fiber. However, if you’ve ever wondered how long does it take for beans to grow? The answer is not as simple as you might think. Beans can be grown in many different ways- some require more time than others. A few varieties can take as little to grow as fifty days to grow, the Bountiful is one such bean. Others like the Hidatsa Red Bean can take up to 100 days. A huge difference! One that you need to take into account when deciding to grow them.
Growing beans is a lot of fun, but figuring out which to grow and at what time has been a bit of a challenge. If you’re interested in growing your own food- then I highly recommend that you add beans to the mix. One thing to consider is the different types or habits of beans. Bush beans grow much like a typical plant, straight up with a stalk. Pole beans grow like a vine and need a trellis to properly grow. When choosing the particular bean to grow, take that into account.
The growing season can also have an effect on just how long it takes for beans to grow. I’m growing my beans in Florida, so they can grow here almost year-round- but this is not the case everywhere you live. Another important thing to consider when growing your own food is where you will be planting them. If there isn’t enough sun in various parts of your yard. It might be a good idea to consider a greenhouse and add artificial light. That of course is a whole other investment but could be worth it.
Beans are available online and at garden centers with their own set of instructions for planting, harvesting, etc. I always choose heirloom seeds for my garden, I won’t go into why that is important in the blog but I have a page discussing my reasoning. Some will tell you to soak seeds in warm water before potting or planting outdoors as this speeds up germination time. I have done both with my heirloom seeds and haven’t found much of a difference. In general, I have had great success germinating bean seeds. I usually only put two seeds per hole and quite often both end up growing. Beans do very well directly sown in your garden soil especially in warmer climates like Florida. If you want to get a head start in colder weather, starting them indoors is advised.
How long does it take for beans to germinate?
It takes about 7-10 days for beans to germinate. The time it takes for a bean to germinate can be affected by the type of bean, the temperature, and the amount of moisture in the air.
It takes beans anywhere from 3 to 10 days to germinate. The time it takes for your beans to germinate depends on the type of bean, the conditions of your growing environment, and how you treat the seeds before planting.
If you’re growing beans in ideal conditions – warm soil, plenty of moisture, and good seed-to-soil contact – you can expect most varieties to germinate within a week. If any of those conditions are not met, it can take up to two weeks for your beans to sprout.
Treating your seeds before planting can also affect how long it takes for them to germinate. Soaking your bean seeds in water for 12 hours or more before planting can speed up the germination process by a few days.
If you are planting a short growing bean and start it indoors you may get two crops between spring and summer even in northern climates. I am currently growing two varieties of pole bean seeds and one type of bush beans. My plan was to also grow some fava beans but couldn’t find an heirloom variety in stock anywhere. The first batch that I started at the beginning of August is already starting to produce flowers and I anticipate that we will be harvesting some of these Cherokee Trail of Tears Beans by the end of the month. My Hidatsa Red & Calypso Bean, also known as ying-yang, should also be ready to harvest this month. We have had a typical hot at humid summer here but the weather is starting to break. I’ll make another attempt to get a crop in the ground of faster-growing beans like the Provider Bean and see if I can get a crop before it gets too cold.
How to grow beans in your garden
- Beans are a versatile and easy-to-grow crop that can be planted in any home garden. With a little planning and preparation, you can have a bountiful harvest of beans to enjoy all season long. Here are some tips on how to grow beans in your garden:
- Choose the right location. Beans need full sun and well-drained soil to thrive. If your garden is in an area that gets partial sun, you can still grow beans, but they may not produce as much as they would in full sun.
- Prepare your soil. Before planting, work some compost or other organic matter into the soil to help improve drainage and add nutrients. Beans are not heavy feeders, so you don’t need to fertilize heavily before planting.
- Sow the seeds. Beans can be planted directly in the garden after the last frost date in your area. Sow the seeds 1-2 inches deep and 6 inches apart in rows spaced 18-24 inches apart. Once the plants start to emerge, thin them out so that they are 12-18 inches apart.
- Water regularly. Be sure to keep the soil moist throughout the growing season, especially when the plants are flowering and setting pods. Drought stress can cause the plants to produce fewer beans or even drop their flowers and leaves prematurely.
- Harvest when ripe. Beans are ready to harvest when the pods are plump and starting to turn brown
Once I harvest my initial beans at the end of the month, some end up used immediately and as always I save some of the best and biggest of the beans to store away for next year. For some, it can be a bit of a chore to get the beans ready to eat. You have to open the pod and get the beans out all one pod at a time right? Not exactly so. For the beans, I intend to dry and save, sure. However, in some recipes, we eat the entire pod and all. Many might not have considered this but the pod is not only edible but tasty. Generally, I’ll wash them all and keep them out loose for up to a week all in pods. When we make them in a recipe that calls for them loose, pull them out but other than that we just steam them as a side with some salt. The beans are great to eat.
Though how long does it take for beans to grow might be a trickier answer than you think, I am sure you will find discovering which bean variety makes sense for you an enjoyable process to explore. With a little bit of work, you will find beans easy and a very rewarding crop to grow.
