Have you thought about growing your own green beans but are worried that you won’t have enough room in your garden? If you have trouble moving around or don’t have time to prepare a bed for planting vegetables, you can grow tasty green beans in containers!
Container gardening is affordable and practical, and it requires a lighter workload. Planting in pots also reduces the amount of space used in the garden. Also, you don’t need a lot of space; with the right containers, you can grow a vegetable garden on your patio or balcony.
Furthermore, keeping plants in containers not only makes gardening more practical and saves space, but it also gives their roots extra protection. Containers can be moved to a new location if the plant appears to have unmet environmental needs. This is an easy choice because of all the benefits. Let’s go over the steps to grow your tasty green beans in a pot.
Growing your own vegetables is immensely rewarding, but not everyone has access to ample garden space. If you’re working with a small patio, balcony or lack yard access, don’t despair. With the right containers and care, you can grow a bountiful crop of beans!
Beans are a great choice for container vegetable gardens Their shallow root systems adapt well to the restricted space and they produce heavily in containers Pole or bush beans can both thrive with proper planting, watering, sunlight and fertilization.
Follow this complete guide to growing beans in containers for a satisfying homegrown harvest!
Choosing Bean Varieties for Containers
The first decision is whether to grow bush or pole bean varieties.
Bush beans are short, stocky, shrub-like plants that reach 1-2 feet tall They do not require trellising. Popular bush types include Blue Lake, Contender and Provider
Pole beans are climbing vines that can reach up to 10 feet tall! They must be trellised or staked for support. Some top picks are Kentucky Wonder, Fortex and Romano.
When space is limited, bush beans are the best choice as they take up less vertical real estate. However pole beans will ultimately produce higher yields from smaller footprints.
For compact containers, look for dwarf and bushy pole bean cultivars that were bred specifically for growing in pots.
Choosing the Right Container
Beans grow well in all types of containers from plastic pots to woven baskets. Just follow these guidelines:
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Use containers at least 12 inches wide for bush beans, 18 inches for poles.
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Minimum depth should be 6 inches for bush, 8-10 inches for pole beans.
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Larger is better! 5-10 gallon containers will give the best harvests.
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Ensure drainage holes on bottoms and drainage trays beneath pots.
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Fabric grow bags and bushel baskets make excellent bean planters.
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Include trellises and supports for pole bean containers.
Soil for Container Beans
Beans prefer loose, fertile soil with a pH around 6.0-7.0. A quality potting mix amended with compost provides ideal growing conditions.
When planting, mix in a general purpose organic fertilizer like 8-8-8 or 5-5-5 as beans are moderate feeders. This gives them the nutrition needed for vigorous growth.
Direct Sowing Bean Seeds
Beans do not transplant well so they should be directly sown into containers. Follow these tips:
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Wait until after the last spring frost when soil warms above 65°F.
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Plant 1 inch deep and 2-4 inches apart depending on mature size.
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Place 4-6 bush bean seeds or 8-10 pole bean seeds per 12 inch pot.
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Space additional plants or rows at least 6 inches apart to prevent crowding.
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Cover seeds lightly with potting mix and water gently to settle soil.
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Beans sprout in 5-14 days depending on warmth. Thin bush seedlings to 4 plants per container.
Caring for Container Beans
With proper care beans will flourish on patios and balconies:
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Place containers in full sun (at least 6 hours direct light).
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Provide even moisture and water when top inch of soil dries out.
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Use trellises for pole beans to support heavy vines.
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Side dress with organic fertilizer like fish emulsion monthly.
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Mulch container surface to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
Pest and Disease Prevention
Growing beans in containers limits pest and disease issues but monitoring plants is still important. Watch for these potential problems:
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Aphids – Control with insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays.
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Bean beetles – Hand pick adults, larvae and eggs to control.
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Thrips – Treat with spinosad or neem oil applications.
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Bacterial blights – Purchase disease-resistant bean varieties to avoid.
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Rust – Spray sulfur fungicides at first sign.
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Anthracnose – Improve airflow and avoid wetting foliage.
Harvesting Container Beans
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Pick snap beans when pods reach desired size but still snap easily.
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Allow shelling beans to swell fully inside pods before picking.
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Once beans form, pick every 2-3 days to encourage more pod setting.
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Use pruning shears for clean cuts and avoid uprooting entire plants.
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Check mature dry beans for rattling inside brittle pods. Remove from vines.
With attentive care and regular harvesting, each container plant will produce 1⁄2 – 2 pounds of tasty beans for months of enjoyment!
Top Tips for Maximizing Container Bean Yields
Follow these key tips to get the biggest harvests from your limited container space:
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Use large containers (at least 10 gallons) to allow ample room for root growth.
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Amend soil with compost or well-aged manure before planting. Replenish mid-season.
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Incorporate a slow release organic fertilizer at planting for steady nutrients all season.
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Use compact bush cultivars suited for container growing.
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Space plants correctly to prevent overcrowding and maximize yields per container.
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Water deeply and consistently to keep soil evenly moist, not soggy.
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Place in full sun locations with at least 8 hours of direct light.
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Pick beans as soon as pods size up to encourage further production.
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Stake and trellis pole beans for better pod formation and easier picking access.
Storing Your Container Bean Harvest
Beans begin losing flavor and nutrition immediately after picking so they are best eaten fresh. But here are some storage tips to enjoy container-grown beans as long as possible:
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Store freshly picked beans in plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer.
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Wash just before eating to avoid premature spoilage from excess moisture.
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Sort through beans every few days and cook up any that are past prime.
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Leave shelling beans on plants until dry and brittle for storage as dried beans.
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Freeze excess fresh bean harvests for enjoyment all winter long. Blanch 2 minutes before freezing.
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Pickle green beans or can them to savor their flavor beyond the growing season.
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Allow some pods to fully dry on plants then save seeds for planting next year!
Don’t limit yourself to in-ground gardening if space is scarce. With the right containers and care, beans can produce impressive yields on patios and decks. Just be sure to allow enough depth for ample root development and use compact varieties suited for containers. Provide sturdy supports for vining pole beans as well. Maintain consistent moisture and fertilization for satisfied container crops!
Step 3: Find the Right Location
Bean plants require adequate sunlight for a fruitful harvest, as partial shade reduces their yield.
Giving your bean plants the right amount of sunlight is vital to a bountiful harvest. While bean plants can grow in partial shade, their yield will significantly reduce. But, even though they do best in warm weather, too much sun will burn the leaves and make the beans not nearly as soft and plump.
The ideal light situation is 4-5 hours of direct sunlight in the morning. The morning sun has all the advantages of the afternoon sun, with less harsh and dehydrating heat. Bush beans do better in shade than pole beans, so if you don’t have many sunny spots, start with bush beans.
Protection from the harsh afternoon sun will go a long way toward extending your growing season. If there is a lot of green growth but not many flowers, move them to a spot with more sunlight.
Step 2: Choose a Container
Growing in containers is easy with fabric grow bags, allowing for 5-6″ between plants.
Growing this legume in a container is simple and straightforward. Whether you choose pole or bush beans, fabric grow bags are an excellent option for these vegetables.
Both types of plants should be given about 5-6” inches of space from their neighbors. In a 5-gallon grow bag, you can expect to plant a dozen or so seeds.
Raised beds are also an excellent option. Although they are less portable, they are typically more spacious. Remember that pole varieties need something to climb.
A tomato cage or other trellis makes a perfect growing structure. A raised bed trellis could include a tipi-style support with a fun look, making harvesting a cinch.
How to Grow Beans in Containers, Complete Growing Guide
FAQ
How deep should a container be for green beans?
How many bush beans can you plant in a 5 gallon bucket?
Do beans grow well in containers?
How many bean plants in a container?
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Vegetable Container Size Chart
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Plant
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Minimum Size
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Number of Plants Per Pot
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Beans, Bush
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2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter
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2-4
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Beans, Pole
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2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter
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2-4
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Beets
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1 gallon; 6-7 inch diameter
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3-4
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How deep should a container be for growing green beans?
1. Choose the Right Container for Growing Green Beans To successfully grow green beans, you need to choose a container deep enough to grow the beans. The appropriate depth depends on the variety of bean you want to grow. Pole beans require a depth of at least 8 to 9 inches while bush beans need at least 6 to 7 inches.
Can you grow beans in a container?
Growing in containers is easy with fabric grow bags, allowing for 5-6″ between plants. Growing this legume in a container is simple and straightforward. Whether you choose pole or bush beans, fabric grow bags are an excellent option for these vegetables. Both types of plants should be given about 5-6” inches of space from their neighbors.
Can you grow snap beans in a container?
You can plant, grow, and harvest snap beans and other beans in containers. Growing beans in containers are ideal for balconies, decks, patios, rooftops, and other urban gardens. Beans can also be grown indoors under lights. Many apartment gardeners like to grow bush beans because they can grow three to six plants in a large container.
How do I choose a container for a bean plant?
If you plan to grow pole beans or climbing varieties, choose a container that can accommodate a trellis or support structure. This allows the plants to climb and saves space by utilizing vertical growth. Consider the number of bean plants you intend to grow in a single container.