What you need to know.
Green beans are impossible to mess up. I grow both bush and pole beans — pole for the big summer crop, bush for the quick second planting. This page has everything that actually matters — what I plant, when I plant it, the three things I'd tell you if you asked me in person, and the recipe I make at the end of the season.
"If you only remember one thing from this guide, remember: direct sow. they hate being transplanted."
What I'd tell you in person.
Direct sow. They hate being transplanted.
Inoculate seeds with rhizobium. Sounds fancy, costs $3, doubles your yield.
Pick daily. Missed pods turn tough fast.
The timing.
Plant: Sow after last frost.
Harvest: Mid-summer on.
Days: 50–60 days.
In Zone 7b (Apex, NC) that usually means I start paying attention around the last frost date — April 15th is the rule of thumb around here. Your dates will be different. Use the zone finder to figure out yours.
What I do with them.
Every year I try to cook more of what I grow. Browse the recipes page for what I actually make with my green beans.