Provider Green Bush Beans
Sowing
Direct sow Provider green bean bush seeds outside at least 1 week after the last frost, since beans are quite sensitive to cold. They should be planted in rich, well drained soil with full sun exposure. If you have never planted green bean seeds in your garden before, treat the seeds with a powder inoculant to allow the process of nitrogen fixation to begin. Sow the seeds 1″ deep and 3″ apart, in rows 2′-3′ apart, and press down the earth above them for good soil contact. These green bean seeds rot easily in wet soil, so do not over water them. Germination should take place 7-12 days after planting. For companion planting benefits, plant bush beans near carrots, cucumbers, or corn; avoid planting them near onions.
Growing
After germination, maintain soil moisture; beans have shallow roots, and need water at least once a week if the weather is dry. Mulching the plants helps conserve moisture and discourages weeds.
Harvesting
Expect your first beans about ten weeks after germination. Daily harvesting improves production; for best flavor and tenderness, pick the beans when they are no larger than a pencil in thickness, or from 4-8″ long. Serve or preserve the same day you harvested them for the freshest taste.
Seed Saving
Near the end of the growing season, allow the beans to dry completely on the vine; the pods will be light brown, and the seeds will rattle inside. Remove the seeds from the pods. After the seeds are completely dry, store them in a cool, dry place for up to a year.
Common Pests
Leafhoppers: These tiny insects are very small, greenish wedge-shaped insects that hop about wildly when disturbed. Leafhoppers cause a conditions called hopperburn, where the leaf tips turn brown and die. This occurs when the nymphs and adults feed. If hopperburn is in progress, stop the damage with soap. First rinse the underside of the plant leaves with water then apply an insecticidal soap.
Cutworms: They are among the most inefficient eaters in the insect world. A few bites and they are done, which means a single cutworm can kill a dozen plants in a few days time. Fortunately this damage is easily preventable, when you transplant the seedlings, encircle them with a protective collar made from a paper cup with the bottom punched out. Another method is to stick a toothpick or twig down the side of the plant stem. When the cutworm attempts to encircle the stem to girdle it, the tough wood gets in the way.
