How to Grow Green Beans in Containers: It’s Easy!

It is very common to see people grow their green beans in a garden, but how about when you live in an apartment? What if there isn’t room for a garden or yard? The good news is you can grow green beans in containers, and the process isn’t difficult at all.

You can grow so much fresh food in a container garden!

Have you wanted to grow your vegetable garden but don’t have the space to do it? I get it! Whether you have a small garden or no backyard to plant anything, it is possible to plant and grow your veggie produce.

I think most people believe a garden is either in the ground or non-existent, but that’s just not the case these days.

I’ve been having fun growing various fruits and vegetables in containers, and I have to stay- I’ve been pretty successful! Container gardening is a good option for growing many different foods, including kale, green beans, onions, pumpkins, beets, or carrots (not an exhaustive list, you can grow so much food in containers!).

It also works well for growing fruits such as blueberries and strawberries and herbs such as lavender.

Growing sugar snap peas in pots and containers gives you the ability to grow them indoors or on your back porch. This space-saving gardening method offers the flexibility to develop your garden no matter your current gardening situation.

Advantages to growing green beans in pots.

There are many, many advantages to growing your green beans in containers!

• You can grow them anywhere! This is perfect for people who live in apartments or condos. All you need are a few containers and some soil, then your green beans will be growing in no time.
• If something happens to one of the plants, it won’t affect them because pots separate them.
• You can control the amount of sunlight.
• You can grow a variety of plants in the same container, and they’ll all prosper!
• They take up less space, so they’re perfect for small spaces. Growing green beans in containers is a great way to use those empty corners of a porch or deck.

Disadvantages to growing green beans in pots:

There are a few disadvantages to growing beans in containers:

• You can’t aggressively harvest beans because the plant will run out of energy and die if it’s harvested too much.
• Pots dry out quicker than soil, so you’ll need to water them more often.
• Beans may need to be pruned more often as well to keep them from growing too large.

What are some of the best varieties of green beans for growing in containers?

Some of the best varieties for growing in containers are:

• Blue Lake Pole Bean
• Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean
• Carminat Pod Beans (beautiful purple pods that are abundant and delicious!)
• Golden Wax Stringless Green Beans.   These beans all grow well and produce a lot, even when planted in small spaces like containers. We tried these last summer and ended up with a huge harvest of the best beans we ever grew!

What size pot should you use?

There is no one answer to how big a pot you should use, but some guidelines will help. You want the pot size to be at least 12-inches deep and wide enough for beans to grow without touching each other.

If you want to move your planter around, ensure that the pot size you choose will be manageable after soil and fully grown plants reside inside.

You will need a support system like a small trellis to help your beans grow up. This also keeps them off the ground. You can get creative with this and let your beans grow on fences or porch railings.

If you are growing bush beans, no trellis or support is required.

What type of pot is best for beans grown in containers?

In general, terra cotta and galvanized metal pots are the best containers for growing beans. Terra cotta is porous, so water will be able to seep through it quickly, while galvanized metals hold moisture well but release heat better than other types of materials.

Plastic containers work well too, but after a few seasons, they will become brittle (especially if left outside during a harsh winter) and will eventually crack. With that said, plastic containers have a significant advantage over terracotta and metal containers – they are light and make moving planters around much easier.

How to plant green beans in containers

• First, to plant beans, loosen the soil at the bottom of your container and push it up from around plants’ roots. Then, add a handful of potting mix to each hole as you make them deeper.
• Next, wet the soil and plant your beans by pushing them in about an inch deep. Plant at least two plants per container to ensure pollination.
• Add water if needed but do not overwater as this will create too much moisture which can cause root rot or mold on leaves.

How much water do green beans require?

Green beans require a lot of water when first planted and then require less as the weather warms up.

However, regardless of how much or how little rain has fallen, it’s important to keep your plants moist throughout their growing period by watering them every few days. An inch of water every few days will be adequate during the normal summer heat. However, if the heat is extreme, keep an eye out on the pots daily to ensure adequate moisture and water as required.

How much sunlight should green beans receive?

Green beans should be grown in full sun.

The plants require at least 6 hours of full sun daily.

What type of soil Is best for can green beans?

The best soil for growing green beans is a mix with compost, and leaf mould added.

You want nice loose soil without a lot of clay to prevent clumping and drainage problems. You can also grow beans in a container with good potting soil.

The key to success is how well the mix drains and how open it is for good air circulation.

To improve drainage, add coarse sand or perlite, which will increase aeration as well.

Should you fertilize green beans in containers?

Start fertilizing immediately after planting. Then, add fertilizer every week until the end of the season, or continue to add it at regular intervals as required.

Use organic fertilizer or compost to ensure healthy green bean plants.

How long do green beans take to grow?

Green beans will grow in under a month from when they are planted.

However, green beans should be harvested before they reach their mature size of 12 inches or longer. Harvesting at this size will ensure they are not tough and fibrous and retain their sweet flavor.

How many green beans can I harvest from a container?

You can typically harvest 45-60 green beans from a container planted with 3-4 bean plants.

If you keep picking the beans, you should keep the plant producing more for a few months.

When & How do you harvest green beans?

Green beans should be harvested before they are mature, which is when the plant reaches 12 inches in length. If left on the vine too long then, green beans will become tough and fibrous.

A general rule of thumb for harvesting green or yellow beans is to harvest them as soon as they reach a size that you can comfortably hold between your thumbs.

The best way to harvest your green beans is by pulling them. This will help avoid damaging the plant and prevent dirt from getting on the harvest.

Grow Your Own Fresh Homegrown Green Beans!

Green beans are a great crop to grow in containers because they don’t take up too much space, and you can harvest them as needed.

Even a small container on a balcony will have good yields over the summer months to warrant it taking up precious container gardening space. Definitely a container-growing plant to include in your plans for this summer’s garden!

check out our other vegetable gardening posts:

• Growing Cucumbers: When And How To Harvest Cucumbers
• How to Grow Pumpkins in Containers: Small Space Gardening
• Grow Cinderella Pumpkins for High Yield Harvests.
• How To Plan A Vegetable Garden In 7 Easy Steps
• 28 Vegetables That Grow in Shade For Gardens Without Sun