Content
Intro
You sound like you're ready to get started! I've got a few pointers for you before we start. You'll need beans, soil, and water. Beans are the easiest thing to grow in your own garden. They can be planted as soon as temperatures stay warm enough at night. Plant them about 1 inch deep and an inch or two apart from each other in rows that are 12-18 inches apart. Keep them well-watered and watch how they grow!
What is your favorite vegetable? Beans are delicious, nutritious, and versatile. You can eat them raw or cooked - on their own or in a dish. They offer many health benefits too! In my post, I will show you how to grow beans at home with pots so that you'll never go hungry again. If you're ready to learn how to start growing beans in pots today, keep reading!
Growing Beans at Home
Pot Size
The size of your pot is dependant on the type and quantity of beans you will be growing. For example, if you are planting a small amount (<20) then choose an eight-inch high pot for the best result; however, if you plan to plant more than 20, go with a twelve-inch height.
Soil Type
Beans need to be grown in soil that is fertile and well-draining.
- If you are using garden mix potting soil, make sure to add cow manure or compost before planting your seedlings
- If you are using potting soil, make sure it has good drainage to avoid fungus or root rot.
- Beans can also be grown in the ground if they're trellised and staked properly for support.
I prefer to make a soil mix myself, but you may also choose a good potting soil. I like Happy Frog Potting Soil. It's essential to make sure you use a potting mix if you buy soil. Buying potting soil will get expensive. Well-draining soil is vital for growing in pots. Beans need well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter.
A good soil mixture is one part compost, one part coco coir, and one part perlite. I add six tablespoons of greensand, six tablespoons of bone meal, six tablespoons of blood meal, and three tablespoons of azomite to the mix. This is what I use for a three-gallon container.
Germinating Bean Seeds
- Beans are a great crop for container gardening. Follow these steps to germinate your seeds before growing beans in pots:
* Place one bean seed into the center of each pot and cover with an inch or two of soil. Some moisture in the soil is good but don't keep it overly wet.
Using soil blocks is an excellent way to start your seeds. Make your soil blocks, add them to a clear plastic container, and place them in a sunny location or under grow lights. Using a plastic container with a lid will create condensation so your seeds will stay moist and they will not need to be watered continually. Doing this will ensure that your seedlings will not be leggy when they germinate because they will have light soon after germination. When seedlings don't get the sunlight or grow light, they will grow tall and skinny. These will not be healthy or strong seedlings.
Using a heat mat will also help your seedlings to germinate. Bean seeds germinate best in temperatures from 60 degrees to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sunlight Requirements
* Beans require six to eight hours of daily sunlight and grow best at temperatures between 60°F-80°F (16°C-27°C). To make your beans more sun tolerant, plant them in a location that receives plenty of morning light. Beans also need regular watering so be sure to water your beans regularly.
Water Requirements
Beans need plenty of water to produce their full potential. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, as this will cause poor root growth and slow plant development in general. If your potting mix retains too much water, consider using sand or gravel as part of the potting mix.
How to Eat Beans
Beans are a healthy and nutritious addition to your diet. They provide protein, iron, magnesium, and more. Beans can be eaten in many ways: boiled or steamed beans on their own as a side dish with rice; cooked together with greens for dal; mixed into sauces such as hummus, spaghetti sauce, and more. Beans can also be used in salads, such as chickpeas on a bed of greens with avocado and tomato vinaigrette; black beans over brown rice with corn salsa.
There are many different varities of beans available to you at the grocery store or farmers market: green beans, kidney beans, red pepper flakes, black beans, pinto beans.
Bean Growing Tips
* Beans will die if exposed to frost so be sure to protect them from cold evenings by moving these plants indoors or covering them with blankets at night.
* Beans often require a lot of water so be sure to monitor the soil's moisture levels and check that it doesn't dry out.
* Beans are best grown in full sun, but they can also tolerate some shade or partial sunlight as long as they receive at least six hours each day for growth.
Nutrition and Health Benefits of Beans
Beans come with many health benefits for you and your family members so there's no wonder why it's a popular food to grow. Beans are rich in fiber and protein, as well as other nutrients such as iron, folate, zinc, potassium, and magnesium.
Doctors recommend that beans be eaten at least twice per week because of their high nutritional value - they're healthy for everyone! Some countries even have dishes centered around beans.
Beans are also a source of iron, which is an important mineral that helps produce red blood cells in your body. Beans are high in folate as well, and this nutrient can help lower the risk for spina bifida defects during pregnancy. Beans are also a source of magnesium which is essential for bone health and may help prevent osteoporosis in later life.
Growing Green Beans in Containers Indoors
Growing beans in containers is a great way to have fresh produce on hand all year long. Beans are an easy, hearty food that can be grown anywhere there's sun and soil -- even indoors! Growing green beans in containers starts with selecting the right size pot for your situation.
If you're going to grow runner or bush beans, then a five-gallon pot is a good size.
If you're going to grow green beans, then use an eight-inch or ten-inch container instead. These pots should be at least 12 inches deep as well -- don't skimp on depth when growing beans! The bottom of your container can be filled with gravel for drainage and fill up the rest of the pot with soil.
Plant beans about two inches apart and water them well to get everything moistened up. Beans need a lot of headspace, so cover them as much as possible when planting. Be sure you're using loose, fertile soil that has no weeds or bugs in it. Beans will grow best if you keep them between 65-75 degrees during the day and 50-60 at night, so be sure to use a thermometer to monitor your conditions!
With at least six hours of sunlight and keeping the soil moist, beans should grow quickly. Feel the soil for moisture every couple of days and add more water if necessary!
Beans are a great addition to any diet because they're low in calories but high in protein and fiber! You can eat them in a soup, on their own as beans and rice, or even just mix some into your salad.
It's not hard to grow beans in pots at home -- just follow these instructions for success!
I hope that you found these bean-growing tips helpful. If you have any questions about how to grow beans, container gardening, or anything else related to growing food in your home garden leave a comment below and I'll do my best to answer them for you!
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