There are several types of beans available such as pole beans, bush beans, runner beans, etc. All of them have a similar growing process.
Can I Transplant Bean Seedlings?
Yes, you can certainly transplant bean seedlings only when you are very careful with the process. Bean seedlings are very delicate. Hence, the small roots of the bean seedlings tend to break invariably in the transplanting process.
That is why beans mostly prefer direct sowing. Yet, there are some certain bean varieties that portray strong seedling characteristics. The Scarlet runner bean variety is one of them. These beans offer seedlings that can be easily transplanted.
Some growers think the runner beans are partially perennials. That is why these beans are easy to transplant.
When to Transplant Bean Seedlings?
You should transplant bean seedlings 2 weeks after the last frost in your area and the seedlings have at least 2-3 whole leaves. This timing allows the seedlings to establish roots and thrive after transplanting. It’s also important to wait until the soil temperature is warm enough, around 60-65°F (15-18°C), for optimal growth. You should harden off the seedlings before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for a week prior to moving them.
Moreover, for the early growth of your beans, it is important to retain the required temperatures as well. But before that, you have to sow bean seeds indoors for preparing them to transplant later. Doing it about two or four weeks before the last frost during spring would bring the best result.
How Do You Transplant Beans Outside?
Before transplanting beans outside, you have to make them tolerate the effects of the environments. Otherwise, the seedlings will not be able to survive.
- Moreover, bean seedlings cannot tolerate frost. That is why make sure there would not be any late frost after planting the seedlings.
- However, to make the seedlings tolerant to environmental factors, you need to harden them off. For that, you have to keep the seedlings outside for at least a week for only a few hours. Also, increase the time limit each day gradually.
- Again, you can keep your bean seedlings in a shaded cold frame as well. It will enable the seedlings to adapt to the outside environment.
- Then when it is the right time for transplanting, ease the seedlings carefully from the pots and lay them outside where you want to plant them. Nonetheless, maintain the spacing or distance between two seedlings.
- For planting, dig a hole with the help of a trowel and then place each bean seedling in the hole. Fill around the seedlings with soil and confirm their firm placement. There, you are done transplanting bean seedlings outside!
When to Transplant Green Bean Seedlings?
Almost all types of beans require the same favorable environmental conditions while transplanting. Green bean seedlings are also not exceptional. Generally, 13 to 15 days after planting the seeds, the green bean seedlings become ready to transplant into the garden.
Just make sure when you are about to transplant the seedlings there is no chance of frosting. Even late frost can happen and damage the seedlings instead. So, when the last frost during spring is over, transplant your green bean seedlings.
Moreover, the best time for green bean seedlings to transplant when the temperatures range between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, for excellent germination, the soil temperature should be around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Do You Transplant Green Beans from Seedlings?
It is easy to transplant green beans from seedlings once you know the process.
First, with help of a hoe make a furrow in the garden. Then to make the furrow well-fertilized, you can use compost. You can use both homemade or commercial compost in this case.
Also, you can add balanced fertilizer, green sand, and bone meal to the furrow. Again, with the help of the hoe incorporate the fertilizer and compost very well into the soil. After that, you will have your bed prepared for transplanting green bean seedlings.
Finally, it is time to set the soil blocks with plants. Set each seedling in position and then wait for them to produce pods!
How Do You Transplant Pole Bean Seedlings?
Unlike conventional methods, pole bean seedlings require a bit different planting method. You need to plant your pole bean seedlings at least 15 cm apart from each other. Also, the rows should have at least 2 feet or 60 cm distance in between.
Now, pole bean seedlings require support to grow. Thus, you need to set bamboo canes in a parallel way against the rows. The canes should be joined at the top.
Nonetheless, many people also use a bean frame for this purpose. Having a rectangular structure at the top, the frames offer great support to the seedlings.
Do Bean Seedlings Transplant Well?
As we have already mentioned, you can surely transplant bean seedlings. However, they prefer direct sowing yet once you manage to transplant them carefully the beans will grow well.
So, if you plant seedlings with undamaged roots, you will get plenty of pods undoubtedly. Therefore, be patient and extra careful with the process and see the result.
How Big Should Seedlings Be before Transplanting?
You just cannot transplant seedlings until they obtain an optimum height. For planting bean seedlings, the plants have to be at least 2 to 3 inches long.
Again, leaf count is also important in a seedling before you transplant it. Wait for the seedlings to have at least two true leaves on them. True leaves are considered the first leaves of a seedling that come out of the cotyledon of the seed.
So, when you discover two or three true leaves are coming out of the seedlings and they have 2-3inches of height, they are ready to transplant.
How Cold Can Bean Seedlings Tolerate?
A frost will definitely kill the seedlings. Excessive cold weather will lead the seedlings to have rotten roots and slow growth. Moreover, cold weather can also induce susceptibility to several pests and diseases.
The weather makes the bean seedlings less resistant to other problems. So, if the temperatures remain between 31 to 33 degrees F, it is surely going to kill the bean seedlings.
On the other hand, at 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the green bean plants stop flowering. The temperatures also cause flowers to drop along with slow production.
A helpful guide:
What Is the Best Time for Transplanting Seedlings?
The best time for transplanting any seedling is when you see them growing enough sprouts. Generally, within three weeks seeds start to grow sprouts.
Also, 2 or 3 true leaf sets are also an indicator that the seedlings are ready to transplant anyway. Again, it is important to water and well-feed the seedlings before planting. Then again, do not forget to harden them off as well.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how and when to transplant bean seedlings, you should just go for it. Growing bean pods from seedlings is not a hard job. In fact, beans are low-maintenance crops.
Yet, you have to ensure their food and proper care. Once the bean plants start off giving pods, they become unstoppable. You can expect to have plenty of them week after week! Just make sure to pick the pods when they are still slender and young.
Leaving the pods unpicked for a long time will make them tough and stringy at the same time. Also, you might discover a halt in production. So, be careful as well when it is time to harvest the beans for pods!
