Most types of bean grow well in warm weather. When other vegetables wither on the vine from the heat, bean plants thrive. Beans
grow through the spring and summer in U.S. Department of Agriculture
plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. To improve growth and production
during the hottest months, control weeds and water consistently. Plant
when soil temperatures are above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant them in
full sun and in well-drained, fertile soil. Sow seeds in damp soil and
provide 1 to 2 inches of water a week. Water thoroughly when the soil is
dry 2 inches below the surface.
Lima Beans
Most lima bean cultivars tolerate long, hot summers with ease. The most heat-tolerant bush cultivars include "Fordhook 242" and "Jackson Wonder." "Fordhook 242" produces flat, 4-inch-long green pods on 16-inch-tall bushes, 75 days after planting. "Fordhook 242" beans are easy to shell and are a good choice for canning and freezing. "Jackson Wonder" produces beans 65 days after planting. It grows best in hot, dry conditions. "Jackson Wonder" produces 3 1/2-inch scarlet bean pods with maroon specks on bushes just 12 to 18 inches tall.
Pole Beans
Heat-tolerant pole bean cultivars include "Blue Lake" and "Kentucky Wonder." "Blue Lake" produces smooth, 6- to 7-inch, dark green pods on 7-foot vines. The long, straight pods are good for canning. "Blue Lake" produces tender pods when harvested at their peak, 75 days after planting. "Kentucky Wonder" produces 8- to 9-inch pods on 5- to 7-foot vines. "Kentucky Wonder" pods are flat, oval and medium-green, borne in clusters.
Yardlong Beans
Yardlong beans survive extreme humidity and heat. Yardlong pods grow 1 to 1 1/2 feet long on vines 5 to 8 feet tall. Depending on how you plan to prepare yardlong beans, it's about 60 days until harvest. To eat the pods as snap beans, harvest when they are 1 foot long. For shell beans, harvest when the pods have a yellow tint. Pull dry, mature pods at the end of the growing season for dry storage.
Bush Beans
Heat-tolerant bush bean cultivars include "Royal Burgundy" and "Burpee's Stringless" green-pod. "Royal Burgandy" produces 4 inch long purple pods that turn green when cooked. "Royal Burgandy" pods grow on bushes 6 to 12 inches tall about 55 days after planting. "Burpee's Stringless" green-pod produces round, 6 inch long slightly curved pods about 50 days after planting.
Lima Beans
Most lima bean cultivars tolerate long, hot summers with ease. The most heat-tolerant bush cultivars include "Fordhook 242" and "Jackson Wonder." "Fordhook 242" produces flat, 4-inch-long green pods on 16-inch-tall bushes, 75 days after planting. "Fordhook 242" beans are easy to shell and are a good choice for canning and freezing. "Jackson Wonder" produces beans 65 days after planting. It grows best in hot, dry conditions. "Jackson Wonder" produces 3 1/2-inch scarlet bean pods with maroon specks on bushes just 12 to 18 inches tall.
Pole Beans
Heat-tolerant pole bean cultivars include "Blue Lake" and "Kentucky Wonder." "Blue Lake" produces smooth, 6- to 7-inch, dark green pods on 7-foot vines. The long, straight pods are good for canning. "Blue Lake" produces tender pods when harvested at their peak, 75 days after planting. "Kentucky Wonder" produces 8- to 9-inch pods on 5- to 7-foot vines. "Kentucky Wonder" pods are flat, oval and medium-green, borne in clusters.
Yardlong Beans
Yardlong beans survive extreme humidity and heat. Yardlong pods grow 1 to 1 1/2 feet long on vines 5 to 8 feet tall. Depending on how you plan to prepare yardlong beans, it's about 60 days until harvest. To eat the pods as snap beans, harvest when they are 1 foot long. For shell beans, harvest when the pods have a yellow tint. Pull dry, mature pods at the end of the growing season for dry storage.
Bush Beans
Heat-tolerant bush bean cultivars include "Royal Burgundy" and "Burpee's Stringless" green-pod. "Royal Burgandy" produces 4 inch long purple pods that turn green when cooked. "Royal Burgandy" pods grow on bushes 6 to 12 inches tall about 55 days after planting. "Burpee's Stringless" green-pod produces round, 6 inch long slightly curved pods about 50 days after planting.
