How many green bean plants do you need to plant to make the harvest worthwhile for one person eating at home or maybe sharing with another?

I planted 8 feet begining of May. I'll plant another short row June. Same with my peas.
Unless you are going to can or preserve them you don't want them all to be ready at the same time.

We had about twenty plants climbing an A frame trellis. We finally resorted to putting shopping bags of beans on our neighbours door handles to get rid of them all. 

Hugs, Devlyn

I'd just like to add that even if you only had one tiny plant but got to harvest a handful of "just picked" goodness, it would be worthwhile. 

For beginner gardeners, it's important to know that pole beans grow long vines and produce beans over a longer period. Bush beans generally stay compact and let you pick all your beans in one or two harvests.

Quote from: Devlyn on May 13, 2025, 07:13:36 AMI'd just like to add that even if you only had one tiny plant but got to harvest a handful of "just picked" goodness, it would be worthwhile. 

For beginner gardeners, it's important to know that pole beans grow long vines and produce beans over a longer period. Bush beans generally stay compact and let you pick all your beans in one or two harvests.

Maybe I will try some bush growing style beans.

What Devlyn says. I grow both bush and pole beans. Both are productive, but I much prefer harvesting the pole beans - standing vs. bending over. Both also produce continuously for 3 or 4 months. Depending on conditions (and yoyr appetite), a couple of plants could be enough.

I use long, flexible bamboo canes to support the pole beans, and then I bend them down and tie them together to form an arch so that they're easily accessible to wee folks like my wife and me.

Quote from: flowers_and_trees on May 13, 2025, 07:59:11 AMWhat Devlyn says. I grow both bush and pole beans. Both are productive, but I much prefer harvesting the pole beans - standing vs. bending over. Both also produce continuously for 3 or 4 months. Depending on conditions (and yoyr appetite), a couple of plants could be enough.

I use long, flexible bamboo canes to support the pole beans, and then I bend them down and tie them together to form an arch so that they're easily accessible to wee folks like my wife and me.

Thank you for your ideas and comments.

Any thoughts based on you growing lettuce, or melons, or cantaloupes?

I bought a bush style green bean plant.  I might buy another if they have any left and they run a sale.


Chrissy

Green thumbs crossed for you! 

Hugs, Devlyn

@Devlyn


I bought them out with a special deal, seven plants at 50 cents each.

They are all bush plants.  We shall see how they grow. Got to make some new space for them though.  If these make too much I think they can be frozen and of course, shared.  Or eaten many consecutive days!  I will go organic so maybe the bugs will get to some of the plants.  We shall see.

Chrissy

Awesome! I hope you get a good haul!

Hugs, Devlyn

Using seeds likely would have been cheaper.

Chrissy

Someone told me to expect maybe 30-36 beans per bush style green bean plant.