How to Grow Blue Lake Bean
Wikimedia Commons
Blue Lake Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
vegetableBlue Lake is a popular pole bean variety known for its long, slender, dark green pods and excellent flavor. It's a climbing variety that produces abundantly throughout the season and is prized for both fresh eating and canning. The beans are prolific producers that can yield for several weeks when harvested regularly.
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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 11≈ 55 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; can grow in zone 2 with protection
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Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds sprout within 7-14 days. First true leaves emerge; seedling develops a small root system and first set of cotyledons.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Ensure full sun exposure. No fertilizer needed at this stage.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksVine grows rapidly, developing compound leaves and climbing toward support structure. Plant establishes strong root system and sends out tendrils.
Provide sturdy trellis, pole, or support structure early. Water consistently. Pinch back growing tips if vine grows too densely. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.
Flowering
2-3 weeksPlant produces clusters of small white, purple, or pink flowers along the vine. Flowers appear in succession over several weeks.
Maintain consistent watering, especially critical during flowering. Light fertilizing with balanced NPK can support flower production. Ensure bees or hand-pollinate if necessary.
Pod Development & Fruiting
3-4 weeks per flushFlowers develop into long, slender dark green pods that grow rapidly. Pods reach harvestable size (6-8 inches) within 10-14 days after pollination.
Harvest pods regularly when young and tender to encourage continued production. Water deeply and consistently. Provide balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.
Harvest & Maturation
4-8 weeks total harvest periodPods reach full size and peak tenderness. With regular harvesting, plant continues producing new flowers and pods through late summer until first frost.
Pick pods every 2-3 days when 6-8 inches long and pods still snap cleanly. Remove any yellow or overmature pods to maintain production. Continue regular watering and fertilizing.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick adults and egg clusters; use row covers early in season; apply neem oil or spinosad if infestation is heavy; encourage native predators
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Spray with water to dislodge; increase humidity; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; apply neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Use row covers until flowering; hand-pick beetles; apply neem oil or spinosad; rotate crops yearly
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap; apply neem oil; improve air circulation
Uses
Fresh Steaming & Sautéing
CulinaryBlue Lake beans are excellent for fresh preparation, steamed or sautéed with garlic and olive oil. Their tender texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor make them a favorite side dish. [source]
Canning & Preservation
CulinaryThese beans are ideal for home canning due to their uniform size and firm texture that holds up well in processing. They retain their color and snap when canned properly. [source]
Freezing
CulinaryBlue Lake beans freeze exceptionally well and maintain their quality for months. Simply blanch, cool, and freeze for convenient off-season use. [source]
Dry Bean Production
HouseholdIf left to mature fully on the vine, Blue Lake pods can be dried for storage as dried beans. These dried beans can be used in soups and stews throughout winter. [source]
Nitrogen Fixation & Soil Health
WildlifeAs a legume, Blue Lake beans fix nitrogen from the atmosphere through a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, naturally enriching garden soil. Plant residue can be tilled in to improve soil fertility for subsequent crops. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest pods when 6-8 inches long, while pods are still tender and snap cleanly when bent. Pick every 2-3 days to encourage continuous production. Harvest in the cool morning. Pods become tough and stringy if left too long on the plant. For dry beans, leave pods on vine until they turn brown and dry, then shell.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Blue Lake beans were developed in the 1890s and remain one of the most popular pole bean varieties worldwide, valued by home gardeners and commercial farmers alike.
- 🌱 The beans' ability to climb allows them to maximize space in small gardens; a single 8-foot pole can produce 2-3 pounds of beans over the season.
- 🌱 Blue Lake beans produce flowers continuously throughout the growing season, meaning you can harvest fresh beans for 6-8 weeks without replanting, unlike bush bean varieties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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