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Beans are one of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to grow in your garden. Whether you're planting green beans, bush beans, or climbing varieties, they grow quickly and produce high yields. Discover 22 unique bean varieties and find the perfect match for your garden today.
Bush beans are often considered the easiest type of bean for beginners to grow. They don’t need staking or support, making them a low-maintenance choice for containers, raised beds, or garden rows.
Here are two reliable varieties to try:
Contender – A fast-maturing option known for tender pods and consistent yields.
Blue Lake – A popular favorite with crisp texture and excellent flavor, perfect for fresh eating or canning.
Both are dependable, productive, and great for getting started with your first bean harvest.
The best time to plant beans is after your last spring frost, once the soil has warmed to at least 60°F. In most areas, that means planting between late April and early June. Beans love the warmth and grow best in full sun.
The exact date will depend on your USDA zone. Here are some guidelines to follow:
USDA Zones 3–4: Start seeds indoors in mid to late April or direct sow outdoors in late May to early June.
USDA Zones 5–6: Direct sow beans outdoors in mid to late May when the soil is consistently warm.
USDA Zones 7–8: Plant beans outdoors from mid-April to early May. You may be able to plant a second crop in midsummer.
USDA Zones 9–10: Beans can be planted outdoors as early as March and again in late summer for a fall harvest.
Always check your local frost dates to time your planting just right. If you need help identifying your zone, refer to our USDA region map.
Beans don’t need much fertilizer, especially nitrogen-heavy types, since they create their own.
Instead, focus on adding compost or a balanced organic fertilizer before planting. Over-fertilizing can result in lush leaves but fewer pods.
Some of the quickest growers include bush varieties like ‘Tendergreen’ and pole beans like ‘Kentucky Blue’. These can mature in as little as 50 to 60 days, making them great choices for gardeners who want fast results.
Fast-growing beans are ideal if you're trying to maximize your harvest in a short season or want a quick start to your summer garden. These varieties are also great for succession planting, meaning you can plant a second round later in the season for even more beans. Regular picking helps the plants keep producing, so check your garden every few days once they start to ripen.
Here’s a quick guide to help you plant your bean seeds:
Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil.
Direct sow seeds after the last frost date.
Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 2–3 inches apart (4–6 inches for pole beans).
Water regularly but avoid overwatering—beans prefer moist, not soggy, soil.
Thin seedlings to allow good airflow.
Harvest when pods are firm and before the seeds inside bulge too much.
Quick Tip: Rotate your bean crops each year to keep the soil healthy and prevent disease buildup.
Want even more growing tips and companion planting ideas? Check out our full vegetable seeds collection and explore other staples like corn and squash seeds that thrive alongside beans.