How to Grow Blue Lake Beans

Blue Lake green beans are one of the most popular crops for gardeners for good reason! They are incredibly tasty, nutritious, and versatile, and best of all they're relatively easy to grow. The original pole version came from the West Coast of the United states in the early 1900s, and the bush version was developed much later in the 60s. 

While the bush variety can be grown without support, the pole version can reach 7', and will need some kind of trellis to climb. A sturdy stake, plastic/wood/metal trellis, or tipi-like structure will do the trick. Many gardeners like to grow them against a fence line. Do make sure to plant them on the north side of the garden to avoid blocking out light to other plants.

There are two ways to start growing: Indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost date, or directly into the soil after the lat frost date. We'll focus on the latter, since they don't tend to handle transplanting very well. Unless your soil is poor, they don't need extra fertilizers since they fix their own nitrogen, but if needed, simply amend the soil with compost and/or manure. Seeds should be planted about an inch deep and 2" apart. Trellising for pole varieties should be set up before or during planting to avoid damaging roots. Rows should be spaced 18" apart, or if you're planting pole beans around a tipi-style frame, simply sow 3-4 seeds around each pole. Strings tied between poles will help give them something to climb.

Next, mulch deeply around the beans to retain moisture. Beans like about two inches of water a week. A moderate watering on sunny days should do the trick. If possible, water the soil directly, as water left on leaves can cause damage. Be careful not to fertilize too much, as this can cause the beans to focus on foliage rather than beans.

​ Beans tend to be hardy and yield well even with pests. Harvesting is best done in the morning, when they're storing sugar in the beans. Keep in mind the more you pick, the more will grow. This shouldn't be too difficult, since you won't be able to stop eating Blue Lake beans!