BEAN ‘Blue Lake’ Vegetable Seeds
Botanical Name: Phaseolus vulgaris
- Classic Climbing Bean Variety: Blue Lake beans are known for their sweet, crisp, and stringless pods, making them suitable for eating raw, freezing, or pickling.
- Optimal Growing Conditions: These beans thrive in full sun, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, and are best sown after the risk of frost has passed during warm seasons. Perfect for succession planting throughout the warm season.
- Planting and Care Tips: Ensure soil is warm, keep it moist without overhead watering, mulch to retain moisture, and harvest regularly to encourage continued production.
- Sowing Schedule by Climate: The ideal planting time varies with climate, generally spring to early summer, with specific tips such as ensuring soil warmth and proper watering for best results.
- Compact, Productive Plants—ideal for small spaces, raised beds, and containers.
Plant Details
- Plant Type: Warm season annual
- Plant Height: Up to 45 cm. Trellis, fence or A-Frame required for climbing beans.
- Days to Harvest: 50–55 days from sowing. Avoid letting pods mature fully on the plant.
Sowing Information
- Germination Time: 7–10 days
- Optimal Germination Temperature: 18–24°C
- Sowing Depth: 2.5 cm
- Spacing: 5–10 cm apart in rows 45–60 cm apart
- Sun Requirements: Full sun
- Sow Where: Direct into garden beds, raised beds, or large containers
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter
Growing Tips
- Sow only after the risk of frost has passed and soil has warmed sufficiently.
- Keep soil moist during flowering and pod set for best yields—avoid overhead watering.
- Mulch around the base of plants to retain moisture and suppress weed growth.
- Beans fix their own nitrogen—avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers which encourage foliage over pods.
- Harvest pods when young and tender; regular picking encourages ongoing production.
Harvest
Begin harvesting around 50–55 days after sowing. Pick when pods are smooth, slender, and snap easily. Avoid allowing pods to fully mature on the plant, as this can slow down further production.
When to Sow Blue Lake Beans in Your Climate
| Climate Zone | Best Planting Time | Sowing Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Temperate | Spring to early summer | Ensure soil is warm and frost-free before sowing. |
| Subtropical | Spring to early summer | Water consistently; mulch to retain soil moisture in heat. |
| Tropical | Spring to early summer | Best grown in raised beds with well-drained soil during wet months. |
| Cool | Spring (after frost) | Sow in a sheltered, sunny position once soil warms. |
| Arid | Spring to early summer | Mulch well and water deeply to support quick growth. |