How to Grow Blue Lake Bean
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Blue Lake Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
vegetableBlue Lake is a classic pole bean variety prized for its long, slender, tender pods and excellent flavor. It's a vigorous climber that produces abundantly throughout the growing season, making it a favorite for home gardeners and commercial growers alike. The beans are versatile for fresh eating, freezing, and canning.
When should you plant Blue Lake Bean in your zone?
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Example Blue Lake Bean timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Blue Lake Bean
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Blue Lake Bean
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Blue Lake Bean dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; prefer warm soil and air temperatures
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Get my Blue Lake Bean timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
7-10 daysCotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves; plant is establishing root system
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; ensure adequate light; thin to proper spacing if direct seeded
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall white to pale purple flowers appear in clusters along the vine; flowers develop into immature pods
Maintain consistent watering and light; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer which promotes foliage over blooms; light fertilization with balanced or potassium-rich formula can support fruiting
Pod Development & Harvest
4-6 weeks (ongoing harvest period)Pods elongate to 5-7 inches; seeds develop inside; pods progress from tender green to mature (depending on harvest timing)
Pick pods regularly and while still young for tender eating; continued harvesting stimulates more flower and pod production; provide consistent water to maintain tenderness
Seed Maturation (Optional)
2-3 weeks additionalIf allowed to mature, pods become thick and fibrous; beans inside reach full size and color
Stop harvesting and allow pods to remain on plant; reduce watering slightly to encourage seed maturation; pods are ready to shell when pods are completely dry and brown
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Handpick beetles and egg clusters; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; plant trap crops; encourage beneficial predators
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Increase humidity; spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or miticide if severe; ensure good air circulation
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Spray with strong water jet; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs and lacewings; reflective mulch can deter
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Ensure good air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; remove infected leaves; apply sulfur or copper fungicide; choose resistant varieties
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Improve air circulation; spray with sulfur or neem oil; remove infected foliage; water only at soil level
Uses
Fresh snap eating and cooking
CulinaryBlue Lake beans are tender and flavorful when harvested young as snap beans, perfect for steaming, sautéing, roasting, or eating raw in salads. Their delicate texture and mild flavor make them a kitchen staple. [source]
Freezing and preservation
CulinaryThese beans are exceptional for freezing due to their uniform size and tender texture; they retain quality and flavor for months. They're also suitable for canning using pressure-canner methods. [source]
Dry bean harvest
CulinaryWhen left to fully mature, Blue Lake beans can be harvested as dry beans for storage and cooking in winter soups, stews, and bean dishes. [source]
Nitrogen fixation & soil improvement
HouseholdLike all legumes, Blue Lake beans form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, naturally enriching soil and reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. [source]
Pollinator and beneficial insect support
WildlifeThe flowers attract bees and other pollinators, while the plant can provide habitat for beneficial insects that help control garden pests. [source]
Harvest Tips
For snap beans (immature pods), harvest when 5-7 inches long and snaps cleanly when bent—typically 55-65 days from planting. Pick pods every 2-3 days to encourage continued production; morning harvest when beans are crisp is best. For dry beans, allow pods to remain on plant until brown and papery, then shell and dry further indoors before storing.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Blue Lake beans were developed in the 1950s and quickly became the dominant commercial pole bean variety in North America due to their exceptional quality, uniformity, and productivity.
- 🌱 The variety name 'Blue Lake' does not refer to the pod color (which is green) but rather to a lake in the region where the variety was originally bred.
- 🌱 Blue Lake beans are a 'determinate' grower in terms of fruiting—they produce most of their crop over a concentrated period, making them ideal for canning operations and freeze-processing.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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