Beans like a rich well drained soil, with a pH between 6 and 6.8. Since beans have a shallow root system, they do not take kindly to a lot of disturbance of the ground once they have been planted. Beans are slightly fussy and will not grow when it is either too hot or too cold.  Optimal air temperatures are between 50 and 80 deg F.

Soil temperature is critical for a successful harvest of beans. Bean seeds will germinate at 60 deg F minimum, but prefer the 70-80 deg range. The optimal time to plant the seeds is when the soil has warmed up to 60 deg F, this should coincide with the last spring frost. Those who want to get a head start on Mother Nature can actually plant their seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the anticipated final frost in paper containers or peat pots that will break down. (This eliminates the need to disturb the roots of the seedlings in transplantation. ) Wait till 1 or 2 weeks after the frost to replant the seedlings.

Those gardeners who do not experience Jack Frost in winter can plant their seedlings earlier, once the soil has reached 60 degrees. In fact, those with really mild winters can actually plant bean seeds in autumn. It can be a great idea to stagger the planting times of bush beans. Planting seeds every fortnight will mean that you do not end up with a feast or famine situation.

Beans do best when grown from seeds. Another important point to consider before planting the seeds is that beans won't grow well if you plant them where you grew the cabbage, tomatoes, or potatoes last year.  

Bush bean seeds can be planted in rows, to a depth of between 1 1/2 and 2 inches, and about 1 -2 inches apart. The rows should be spaced about 2 to 2 1/2 feet apart. Once you have covered the seeds with dirt, water the seeds in well. After 5-10 days your efforts will be rewarded with seedlings coming through.

Once the plants are about 3 inches tall, it will be time to thin them down. First up, remove any that are not thriving or looking as vigorous as their neighbors. Ideally, you will have a row of healthy looking plants that are about 3-4 inches apart.

HOME GARDENING WITH GREEN BEANS

There are actually 2 sorts of green bean plants, bush beans and pole beans. The names pretty much describe the growing pattern of the plant itself, not the bean. Bush beans are self-supporting plants that will grow in height to 2-3 feet, while pole beans are climbing plants and require either a fence, pole, cage, or trellis to climb up.

PLANTING & GROWING GREEN BEANS

The other main difference is the length and size of the harvest. Bush beans will provide you with beans sooner, but pole beans are more prolific once they come to harvest. Some avid gardeners will plant both types, ensuring green beans sooner from the bush plant, while waiting for the pole beans to harvest.

Pole Seeds, Watering and fertilizing

Regardless of which bean plant you select, the requirements are similar. Green beans do best in full sun, as in 6-8 hours daily. They will grow with less, but your bean crop will be reduced.