How to Grow Green Bean 'Blue Lake'

Green Bean 'Blue Lake'

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Blue Lake'

vegetable

'Blue Lake' is a classic pole bean variety prized for its tender, flavorful green pods and reliable production. It produces long, straight beans (5-7 inches) on vigorous climbing vines that can reach 5-6 feet tall. This variety is excellent for fresh eating, freezing, and canning due to its consistent quality.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum

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Water: Consistent moisture, 1-1.5 inches per week; avoid wetting foliage to prevent fungal disease; water at soil level

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Spacing: 4-6 inches apart along trellis; rows 18-24 inches apart inches

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Days to maturity: 50-65 days from planting to first harvest

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Planting depth: 1-1.5 inches deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Perlite for drainage if soil is clay-heavy Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-10; grows best in zones 5-8 with moderate temperatures

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

Growth Stages

Germination

7-10 days

Seeds sprout and first cotyledons emerge above soil; vine begins to develop initial leaves

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; ensure soil temperature is 60-70°F minimum; protect from birds if necessary

Vegetative/Vine Development

3-4 weeks

Vines grow vigorously with compound leaves; tendrils develop and vine begins climbing support structure

Provide sturdy trellis or pole immediately; guide vines gently onto support; maintain consistent watering; side-dress with compost around week 3-4

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Small white to pale purple flowers appear along vine nodes; flowers indicate bean pod development is imminent

Continue consistent watering and full sun exposure; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer which promotes foliage over flowers; monitor for pests

Pod Development & Fruiting

3-4 weeks

Green pods form and elongate to 5-7 inches; pods transition from light green to darker green as they mature

Pick pods regularly at 5-6 inches for tender beans; frequent harvesting encourages continued production; continue consistent watering

Peak Production & Harvest

2-4 weeks depending on temperature

Plant produces abundant mature green pods; beans are tender and ideal for harvest; pod quality remains high with regular picking

Harvest every 2-3 days for best quality and tender beans; wear gloves to avoid damaging delicate vines; stop harvesting when vine vigor declines

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Corn Squash Pumpkin Cucumber Melons Radishes Carrots Lettuce Marigolds Nasturtiums

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Onions Garlic Leeks Chives Peppers Tomatoes Brassicas (immediately after in same soil)

Common Pests

Hand-pick beetles and egg clusters daily; use row covers on young plants; spray with spinosad or neem oil if infestation is severe; plant trap crops nearby
Spray foliage with water to disrupt colonies; increase humidity; apply neem oil or miticide if severe; ensure adequate air circulation
Use row covers until flowering; hand-pick adults and larvae; plant early to mature before peak pest populations; spray insecticidal soap if needed
Spray with strong water stream; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer
Use yellow sticky traps; spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap; encourage air circulation; introduce parasitic wasps
Remove infested pods immediately; plant early varieties to avoid peak pest season; use pheromone traps; practice crop rotation

Uses

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Fresh steaming and sautéing

Culinary

'Blue Lake' beans are prized for their tender pods, delicate flavor, and crisp texture when cooked fresh. They're excellent steamed, sautéed with garlic and olive oil, or added to salads and stir-fries. [source]

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Freezing and canning

Culinary

The uniform pod shape and consistent quality make 'Blue Lake' ideal for home freezing and canning. Blanch and freeze for long-term storage, or can using tested USDA recipes for safe preservation. [source]

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Home gardening and seed saving

Household

'Blue Lake' is an excellent heirloom variety for home gardeners seeking to save seeds; allow some pods to mature fully on the vine, dry completely, shell the beans, and store in a cool, dry place for next year's planting. [source]

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Nutritional benefits

Medicinal

Green beans are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, along with fiber and antioxidants including flavonoids. They support digestive health, bone strength, and may help with blood sugar regulation. [source]

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Nitrogen fixation and soil improvement

Wildlife

Like all legumes, 'Blue Lake' beans have nodules on their roots that form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, naturally enriching the soil for subsequent crops. This reduces the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and improves soil health. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Begin harvesting when pods reach 5-6 inches long and snap easily when bent; pick every 2-3 days in the morning when pods are firm and cool; beans should be tender and full-sized but seeds should not be bulging; continue harvesting to encourage production; for dried beans, leave pods on vine until fully brown and dry (if saving seeds)

Fun Facts

🌱 'Blue Lake' was introduced in the 1906 and has remained one of the most popular pole bean varieties for over 115 years due to its exceptional flavor, reliability, and versatility for fresh market and processing.
🌱 The name 'Blue Lake' comes from Blue Lake, Oregon, where the variety was developed and popularized by seed companies; it became the standard commercial processing bean in North America and remains widely grown today.
🌱 A single 'Blue Lake' plant can produce 100-150 pods over a season with proper care and regular harvesting, making it an exceptionally productive choice for home gardeners seeking abundant harvests from a small space.

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