For probably a solid decade I only thought there was one kind of green bean. Specifically blue lake beans. The kind that you planted, waited a week, then had to go out and put up a trellis, teepee or some kind of support for which it to run up. AKA…the pole bean.

Well, a few years ago I asked my father to plant me a few rows of green beans, so I could put up a few runs. Also known as canning/pressure cooking them in order to preserve them for the year to come (more on canning food at a later date, I promise). Now my father was a cattle farmer, and at that time was caring for around one hundred and ten heads of black angus, all alone. I knew he didn’t have much time to devote but alas he agreed. When he called, I drove the four hours and walked out to, brace yourselves, three seventy feet long rows, of bush beans. Yes, I was not only flabbergasted at the sheer volume that was staring back at me, but there were no supports, no poles and no string everywhere. I remember looking at him then back at the massive rows grown for a family of six. He just laughed and said, “Let’s get to it girl.”

Now since learning about the two, I have heard folks argue over pole beans versus bush beans for years. Pole beans are more vine-like and do have a longer season as far as production goes. So you will have one growing season and weather permitting get a good yield from that one planting. It can be (usually is) a real bother to have to clean up the mess afterwards.

Bush beans are said to be easier to grow, but don’t come without their own cons. You basically plant them and walk away. However, they only give you two good crops about two to three weeks apart, and they have been known to do a real number on one’s back bending over like that.

That week was one of my fondest memories as an adult with my father. We limped around carrying our full five gallon buckets. We snapped watching television long into the night. I had learned to put up green beans in that old kitchen from my grandmother, and it was special to continue the tradition. Ever since that summer, I prefer bush beans. Where we live I can plant up to three separate crops of bush beans due to our May – November warm season. I don’t mind replanting multiple times in order to avoid the stringing. One trellis for peas is enough to frustrate me.

So, here we go. Green beans in general are one of the easiest, fastest growing crops for a gardener to grow! They are perfect to start off a garden with and do not damage or drain the soil of nutrients. There are so many varieties to choose from (I order 99% of my veg seeds from Johnny’s Seeds). Trust me it’s not too late in the year…get some pole bean seeds or bush bean seeds and start growing!