Bush Bean

At a glance

USDA Zones

3–10

Sun

Full sun (6+ hrs)

Water

Medium — water when top inch of soil is dry

Soil

Loam

pH

Neutral

Spacing

4 in. between plants

Per square foot

9 plants per square

Days to maturity

About 55 days

Planting & harvest windows

Northern Hemisphere timing. Adjust ±4–6 weeks based on your last/first frost dates.

Good companions

• 
  Corn

  Beans fix nitrogen the heavy-feeding corn needs and climb the corn stalks for support.

• 
  Cucumber

  Beans add nitrogen that cucumbers love; their growth habits don't crowd.

• 
  Carrot
• 
  Strawberry
• 
  Marigold

Keep apart from

• 
  Onion

  The onion family stunts the helpful root bacteria beans rely on, cutting your harvest.

• 
  Garlic

  The onion family stunts the helpful root bacteria beans rely on, cutting your harvest.

• 
  Fennel

  Fennel gives off chemicals that slow beans down — seeds sprout late and plants stay stunted.

Recommended varieties

• Blue Lake 274

  55 daysseed

  The standard green snap bean. Crisp and tender.

• Provider

  50 daysseed

  Cold-tolerant, plant earlier than most.

• Contender

  50 daysseed

  Heat-tolerant, heavy yields. Good for the South.

• Dragon Tongue

  57 daysseed

  Yellow wax bean with purple streaks — mild and nutty. Turns green when cooked.

• Royal Burgundy

  55 daysseed

  Purple-podded bush bean. Striking and easy to spot at harvest.

• Haricot Vert (Maxibel)

  55 daysseed

  Slim French filet bean — tender and gourmet at any table.