Beans
Seed # 106
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 106
- Seed Name
- Beans
- Variety
- Blue lake stringless
- Category
- Vegetable
- Plant Family
- Fabaceae
- Plant Type
- Pole snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- May 19
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Aug 15
- Plantable Months
- May, June, July, August
- Indoor Start
- Not recorded
- Direct Sow
- May 19 – Aug 15
- Transplant
- Not Recommended
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- Not Recommended
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- Not Recommended
- Germination Days
- 6–8 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- 60 days from direct seeding
- Succession Planting
- 14 days
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 60-85°F
- Planting Depth
- 1-1.5 in
- Plant Spacing
- 4 in
- Row Spacing
- 20-24 in
- Thin-To Spacing
- 4 in
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun
- Water Needs
- 1-2 in/week; maintain even moisture during flowering and pod development
- Soil Preference
- Well-drained, moderately fertile soil; avoid excessive nitrogen
- Minimum Container Size
- 5 gal with trellis
- Plant Height
- 6-8 ft
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Annual
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- Yes
- Frost Tolerant
- No
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Culinary Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carrot | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Carrots | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Carrots | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Corn | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Corn | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Corn | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Cucumber | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Marigold | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Marigold | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Marigold | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Marigold | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Nasturtiums | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Nasturtiums | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Chives | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Onion | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Onion | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Onion | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Onion | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Onion | Avoid | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Direct sow
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jul 25
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 50–65 days
Container Friendly: Yes, 3–5+ gal
Pollinator Friendly: Flowers support pollinators
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary; nitrogen-fixing cover crop benefit
Succession / Reusable Notes: Succession sow bush beans every 2–3 weeks until late July.
Zone 6B Notes: Do not plant until soil is warm.
Companion Plants: Corn, cucumbers, carrots, celery, calendula, marigolds, nasturtiums, strawberries
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Onions, garlic, leeks, chives
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Direct sow after the May 5 frost date once soil has warmed. Sow additional plantings every 2 weeks until approximately 8 weeks before the October 15 first frost.
Germination: Avoid planting into cold, saturated soil. Warm soil supports rapid 6-8 day germination.
Harvest: Pick the stringless pods young and tender at approximately 5.5 inches. Frequent harvesting encourages continued production.
Seed Saving: Allow pods to mature and dry completely on the vine. Phaseolus vulgaris is primarily self-pollinating, although occasional crossing can occur.
Special Care: This record corresponds to the documented Blue Lake Stringless Pole bean. Provide a sturdy trellis or pole support before vines begin climbing.
Research Source: Ferry-Morse — https://ferrymorse.com/products/bean-blue-lake-stringless-pole-organic-seeds — Phaseolus vulgaris identity, pole habit, 6-8 day germination, 60-day maturity, depth, spacing, height, water needs and succession sowing
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]