How to Grow Beanstalks

A staple vegetable in many households, the bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) plant continues to generate edible pods during the same growing season as long as you diligently pick them when ripe. Also referred to as green or snap beans, this hardy legume requires only minimal soil nutrients and water to produce a healthy plant. Growing beanstalks is a perfect way to start a vegetable garden for a large family.


Choose a sunny garden location for planting beanstalk seeds. Till the soil to loosen it with a garden hoe. Hand pull any weeds from the immediate area, as they will be more difficult to remove later when intertwined with the beans' new root system.


Sow the beans in mid- to late spring when frost threats are not a concern. Place the beans into the soil at a 1-inch depth. Do not group the beans together; leave at least 2 inches of space between each bean. Create multiple rows of beans with at least 18 inches between rows.


Water the seeded area lightly after planting. Keep the beans moist throughout germination and seedling growth, but do not waterlog the beans; the soil should be visibly well-drained between each watering.


Sprinkle mulch across the seeded area to keep the water from evaporating away from the beans.


Pull any weeds from the immediate area as the beanstalk grows taller. Use caution if you are using a hand tool to remove weeds; do not damage or disturb the shallow bean roots nearby.


Remove the bean pods from the beanstalk using gardening snips when the legumes are dry to the touch and firm when pressed. Hand pick if desired, but you may run the risk of damaging the plant with tears.


Fertilize the seeded area with an all-purpose fertilizer if soil nutrients are low after the first harvest.


Continue removing pods throughout the growing season to generate more growth.