Which month is the best to plant beans?

As a widely grown vegetable, beans are cultivated in both the north and the south, and their popularity ranks among the top among many vegetables. Beans are favored by farmers because of their good environmental adaptability and high economic returns from planting. However, in the actual planting process, many farmers face low bean yields and serious problems of falling flowers and pods, which seriously affect the overall benefits of planting. Let’s take a look at the best months to plant beans.

Which month is the best to plant beans?

As a crop originating from the tropics, beans (cowpea) prefer warm climates, can withstand high temperatures but are sensitive to cold. The seeds germinate best at temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, and can produce pods even above 35 degrees Celsius, but when the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius, the growth of the plant will be restricted. Therefore, when planting beans in the open air, one should not rush to sow them in advance, but should wait until the average daily temperature has been stable at above 12 degrees Celsius for 5 consecutive days before starting sowing.

According to a traditional agricultural proverb, " Plant melons and beans around the time of Grain Rain." The Grain Rain season marks the end of frost, and the average daily temperature in most parts of China has stabilized above 15 degrees Celsius, which provides suitable temperature conditions for the germination of bean seeds and the growth of seedlings. Therefore, mid-April to early May each year is the best time for open-air sowing of spring beans.

Beans are usually sown by direct seeding. Before sowing, the seeds can be exposed to the sun for 1 to 2 days, which will help break the dormancy of the seeds and enhance their vitality. At the same time, soak the dried seeds in warm water for 5 to 6 hours and remove those that are moldy or underfilled, which will help to cultivate neat and strong seedlings.

Although beans have strong adaptability to the environment, the yield of beans will be higher if they are planted in soil that is deep, loose, easy to drain and irrigate, rich in organic matter, and has good water and fertilizer retention capabilities. In addition, beans should not be planted continuously, as continuous planting will lead to the aggravation of soil-borne diseases. To maintain healthy growth of beans, a crop rotation system of at least three years is recommended.

Key points for growing beans

1. Choose suitable land

Beans are highly adaptable to soil and can grow in almost any soil. But in order to obtain stronger plants and higher yields, fertile, loose, well-drained land should be selected. The ideal land should be high in organic matter, loose in soil, with sufficient sunlight, flat or slightly higher terrain, and sandy soil with a pH close to neutral. At the same time, you should avoid choosing plots that have been planted with beans in the past 2-3 years or have a history of disease. Such land is more conducive to the growth and pod formation of beans. Soils that are highly acidic, heavy, prone to waterlogging, or frequently cropped should be avoided, as these conditions may lead to frequent diseases and poor plant growth.

2. Land preparation and fertilization

After selecting the plot of land, it is necessary to carry out land preparation, soil preparation and base fertilizer application. Land preparation usually begins half a month before planting, removing weeds, debris and residues, and disinfecting the land. Then deep plowing is carried out and base fertilizer is evenly spread into the soil. It is recommended to apply 3,500 to 4,000 kilograms of organic fertilizer , 40 to 50 kilograms of compound fertilizer or 30 to 40 kilograms of superphosphate per mu of land. Beans have a greater demand for phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, but relatively less demand for nitrogen fertilizers. The amount of fertilizer should be adjusted according to soil fertility. If conditions permit, trace element fertilizers such as boron, molybdenum, and zinc can be added in appropriate amounts to increase yield and quality. After completing these steps, deep tillage to a depth of 25 to 30 cm is performed to ensure that the fertilizer is thoroughly mixed with the soil. If the local area is dry, irrigation should be carried out in time to keep the soil moisture at 70% to 80%.

3. Planting density

Beans like light, especially during flowering and pod setting, and need plenty of sunlight. Therefore, be careful not to sow too densely when sowing, and keep the hole distance about 30 cm to ensure good lighting. The row spacing should be kept at 50 cm to facilitate subsequent management operations. Overly dense planting will cause competition for nutrients between plants, affecting growth and yield. It is recommended to plant 6,000 to 8,000 plants per acre, and thin out the seedlings after they emerge, leaving two strong seedlings in each hole.

4. Timely scaffolding

When the bean plants grow to 30 cm in height or begin to stretch vines, a trellis should be erected in time to guide the plants to grow upward. Erecting a trellis helps improve lighting and ventilation and prevent pests and diseases. The scaffolding is usually done on a sunny afternoon. A "human" shaped support is built and the vines are fixed to the frame.

The above is an introduction to the planting time and key points of beans. Green beans are generally better planted in spring and summer and are not suitable for particularly cold climates.