General Information

• Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August

  March 1. Buy Buy plants and seeds if available at the garden center or via mail-order. 2. Sow Seeds Sow seed indoors for planting outside next month once the plant has two sets of true leaves. Use a loose seed-starting mix and plant seed 1-inch deep. Moisten soil well prior to planting and refrain from watering again until seedlings emerge. Place in a sunny window once seedlings germinate. 3. Special requirements Beans are shallow-rooted, so avoid cultivating around the root zone.

  April 1. Buy Buy plants and seeds if available at the garden center or via mail-order. 2. Plant Plant in a full-sun location with loose, well-draining soil. 3. Sow Seeds Sow seed indoors for planting outside after mid-month once the plant has two sets of true leaves. Use a loose seed-starting mix and plant seed 1-inch deep. Moisten soil well prior to planting and refrain from watering again until seedlings emerge. Place in a sunny window once seedlings germinate. Sow seed outdoors in a full-sun location starting mid-month. Plant seed 1-inch deep in a loose, well-draining soil. Moisten the planting area well before planting and then refrain from watering again until seedlings emerge. 4. Fertilize Feed once with an all-purpose, organic vegetable fertilizer when plants begin actively growing. 5. Water Keep young bean plants evenly moist but not soggy. Mature bean plants can tolerate some dry conditions but require even moisture when they flower and form pods. 6. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for aphids, cucumber beetles and giant whitefly. 7. Treat for Pest/Disease Control aphids by applying a strong spray of water to plants. Repeat once or twice a day until the aphids are gone. Especially heavy infestations of giant whitefly can also be controlled with a strong spray of water. Whiteflies attract a beneficial parasitic wasp that will also destroy them, which is why it's preferable that you don't use any insecticides on the plants, but instead wait for the biological control to do its work. Cucumber beetles do the most damage feeding on young leaves, so cover plants with row cover to keep off the beetles until the plants are more mature. 8. Transplant Transplant plants grown indoors last month outdoors in a full-sun location with loose, well-draining soil. 9. Special requirements Beans are shallow-rooted, so avoid cultivating around the root zone.

  May 1. Buy Buy plants and seeds if available at the garden center or via mail-order. 2. Plant Plant in a full-sun location with loose, well-draining soil. 3. Sow Seeds Sow seed outdoors in a full-sun location, planting 1-inch deep in a loose, well-draining soil. Moisten the planting area well before planting and then refrain from watering again until seedlings emerge. 4. Fertilize Feed once with an all-purpose, organic vegetable fertilizer when plants begin actively growing. Fertilize a second time when plants start producing pods. 5. Water Keep young bean plants evenly moist but not soggy. Mature bean plants can tolerate some dry conditions but require even moisture when they flower and form pods. 6. Mulch Mulch around the root zone with a 1-inch layer of shredded bark. 7. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for aphids, cucumber beetles and giant whitefly. 8. Treat for Pest/Disease Control aphids by applying a strong spray of water to plants. Repeat once or twice a day until the aphids are gone. Especially heavy infestations of giant whitefly can also be controlled with a strong spray of water. Whiteflies attract a beneficial parasitic wasp that will also destroy them, which is why it's preferable that you don't use any insecticides on the plants, but instead wait for the biological control to do its work. Cucumber beetles do the most damage feeding on young leaves, so cover plants with row cover to keep off the beetles until the plants are more mature. 9. Harvest Pick bean pods when the seed starts to swell slightly and they are bright green. Harvest regularly. Avoid letting the pods mature on the plant, as it will stop bearing. 10. Special requirements Beans are shallow-rooted, so avoid cultivating around the root zone.

  June 1. Buy Buy plants and seeds if available at the garden center or via mail-order. 2. Plant Plant in a full-sun location with loose, well-draining soil. 3. Sow Seeds Sow seed outdoors in a full-sun location, planting 1-inch deep in a loose, well-draining soil. Moisten the planting area well before planting and then refrain from watering again until seedlings emerge. 4. Fertilize Feed once with an all-purpose, organic vegetable fertilizer when plants begin actively growing. Fertilize a second time when plants start producing pods. 5. Water Keep young bean plants evenly moist but not soggy. Mature bean plants can tolerate some dry conditions but require even moisture when they flower and form pods. 6. Mulch Maintain mulch around the root zone with a 1-inch layer of shredded bark. 7. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for aphids,. cucumber beetles and giant whitefly. 8. Treat for Pest/Disease Control aphids by applying a strong spray of water to plants. Repeat once or twice a day until the aphids are gone. Especially heavy infestations of giant whitefly can also be controlled with a strong spray of water. Whiteflies attract a beneficial parasitic wasp that will also destroy them, which is why it's preferable that you don't use any insecticides on the plants, but instead wait for the biological control to do its work. Cucumber beetles do the most damage feeding on young leaves, so cover plants with row cover to keep off the beetles until the plants are more mature. 9. Harvest Pick bean pods when the seed starts to swell slightly and they are bright green. Harvest regularly. Avoid letting the pods mature on the plant, as it will stop bearing. 10. Special requirements Beans are shallow-rooted, so avoid cultivating around the root zone.

  July 1. Fertilize Fertilize with an all-purpose vegetable fertilizer when plants start producing pods. 2. Water Keep young bean plants evenly moist but not soggy. Mature bean plants can tolerate some dry conditions but require even moisture when they flower and form pods. 3. Mulch Maintain mulch around the root zone with a 1-inch layer of shredded bark. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for aphids, cucumber beetles and giant whitefly. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Control aphids by applying a strong spray of water to plants. Repeat once or twice a day until the aphids are gone. Especially heavy infestations of giant whitefly can also be controlled with a strong spray of water. Whiteflies have a natural predatory parasitic wasp that will also destroy them, which is why it's preferable that you don't use any insecticides on the plants, but instead wait for the biological control to do its work. Cucumber beetles do the most damage feeding on young leaves, so cover plants with row cover to keep off the beetles until the plants are more mature. 6. Harvest Pick bean pods when the seed starts to swell slightly and they are bright green. Harvest regularly. Avoid letting the pods mature on the plant, as it will stop bearing. 7. Special requirements Beans are shallow-rooted, so avoid cultivating around the root zone.

  August 1. Fertilize Fertilize with an all-purpose vegetable fertilizer when plants start producing pods. 2. Water Keep young bean plants evenly moist but not soggy. Mature bean plants can tolerate some dry conditions but require even moisture when they flower and form pods. 3. Mulch Maintain mulch around the root zone with a 1-inch layer of shredded bark. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for aphids, cucumber beetles and giant whitefly. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Control aphids by applying a strong spray of water to plants. Repeat once or twice a day until the aphids are gone. Especially heavy infestations of giant whitefly can also be controlled with a strong spray of water. Whiteflies attract a beneficial parasitic wasp that will also destroy them, which is why it's preferable that you don't use any insecticides on the plants, but instead wait for the biological control to do its work. Cucumber beetles do the most damage feeding on young leaves, so cover plants with row cover to keep off the beetles until the plants are more mature. 6. Harvest Pick bean pods when the seed starts to swell slightly and they are bright green. Harvest regularly. Avoid letting the pods mature on the plant, as it will stop bearing. 7. Special requirements Beans are shallow-rooted, so avoid cultivating around the root zone.

• Buy When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share! March Buy plants and seeds if available at the garden center or via mail-order. April Buy plants and seeds if available at the garden center or via mail-order. May Buy plants and seeds if available at the garden center or via mail-order. June Buy plants and seeds if available at the garden center or via mail-order.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? April Plant in a full-sun location with loose, well-draining soil. May Plant in a full-sun location with loose, well-draining soil. June Plant in a full-sun location with loose, well-draining soil.

  Sow Seeds When can you plant these seeds? When's the best time? Can you start them indoors and move them out? Do they have any special requirements? March Sow seed indoors for planting outside next month once the plant has two sets of true leaves. Use a loose seed-starting mix and plant seed 1-inch deep. Moisten soil well prior to planting and refrain from watering again until seedlings emerge. Place in a sunny window once seedlings germinate. April Sow seed indoors for planting outside after mid-month once the plant has two sets of true leaves. Use a loose seed-starting mix and plant seed 1-inch deep. Moisten soil well prior to planting and refrain from watering again until seedlings emerge. Place in a sunny window once seedlings germinate. Sow seed outdoors in a full-sun location starting mid-month. Plant seed 1-inch deep in a loose, well-draining soil. Moisten the planting area well before planting and then refrain from watering again until seedlings emerge. May Sow seed outdoors in a full-sun location, planting 1-inch deep in a loose, well-draining soil. Moisten the planting area well before planting and then refrain from watering again until seedlings emerge. June Sow seed outdoors in a full-sun location, planting 1-inch deep in a loose, well-draining soil. Moisten the planting area well before planting and then refrain from watering again until seedlings emerge.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? April Feed once with an all-purpose, organic vegetable fertilizer when plants begin actively growing. May Feed once with an all-purpose, organic vegetable fertilizer when plants begin actively growing. Fertilize a second time when plants start producing pods. June Feed once with an all-purpose, organic vegetable fertilizer when plants begin actively growing. Fertilize a second time when plants start producing pods. July Fertilize with an all-purpose vegetable fertilizer when plants start producing pods. August Fertilize with an all-purpose vegetable fertilizer when plants start producing pods.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? April Keep young bean plants evenly moist but not soggy. Mature bean plants can tolerate some dry conditions but require even moisture when they flower and form pods. May Keep young bean plants evenly moist but not soggy. Mature bean plants can tolerate some dry conditions but require even moisture when they flower and form pods. June Keep young bean plants evenly moist but not soggy. Mature bean plants can tolerate some dry conditions but require even moisture when they flower and form pods. July Keep young bean plants evenly moist but not soggy. Mature bean plants can tolerate some dry conditions but require even moisture when they flower and form pods. August Keep young bean plants evenly moist but not soggy. Mature bean plants can tolerate some dry conditions but require even moisture when they flower and form pods.

  Mulch Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much? May Mulch around the root zone with a 1-inch layer of shredded bark. June Maintain mulch around the root zone with a 1-inch layer of shredded bark. July Maintain mulch around the root zone with a 1-inch layer of shredded bark. August Maintain mulch around the root zone with a 1-inch layer of shredded bark.

  Pest/Disease Inspection What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear? April Check for aphids, cucumber beetles and giant whitefly. May Check for aphids, cucumber beetles and giant whitefly. June Check for aphids,. cucumber beetles and giant whitefly. July Check for aphids, cucumber beetles and giant whitefly. August Check for aphids, cucumber beetles and giant whitefly.

  Treat for Pest/Disease How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements? April Control aphids by applying a strong spray of water to plants. Repeat once or twice a day until the aphids are gone. Especially heavy infestations of giant whitefly can also be controlled with a strong spray of water. Whiteflies attract a beneficial parasitic wasp that will also destroy them, which is why it's preferable that you don't use any insecticides on the plants, but instead wait for the biological control to do its work. Cucumber beetles do the most damage feeding on young leaves, so cover plants with row cover to keep off the beetles until the plants are more mature. May Control aphids by applying a strong spray of water to plants. Repeat once or twice a day until the aphids are gone. Especially heavy infestations of giant whitefly can also be controlled with a strong spray of water. Whiteflies attract a beneficial parasitic wasp that will also destroy them, which is why it's preferable that you don't use any insecticides on the plants, but instead wait for the biological control to do its work. Cucumber beetles do the most damage feeding on young leaves, so cover plants with row cover to keep off the beetles until the plants are more mature. June Control aphids by applying a strong spray of water to plants. Repeat once or twice a day until the aphids are gone. Especially heavy infestations of giant whitefly can also be controlled with a strong spray of water. Whiteflies attract a beneficial parasitic wasp that will also destroy them, which is why it's preferable that you don't use any insecticides on the plants, but instead wait for the biological control to do its work. Cucumber beetles do the most damage feeding on young leaves, so cover plants with row cover to keep off the beetles until the plants are more mature. July Control aphids by applying a strong spray of water to plants. Repeat once or twice a day until the aphids are gone. Especially heavy infestations of giant whitefly can also be controlled with a strong spray of water. Whiteflies have a natural predatory parasitic wasp that will also destroy them, which is why it's preferable that you don't use any insecticides on the plants, but instead wait for the biological control to do its work. Cucumber beetles do the most damage feeding on young leaves, so cover plants with row cover to keep off the beetles until the plants are more mature. August Control aphids by applying a strong spray of water to plants. Repeat once or twice a day until the aphids are gone. Especially heavy infestations of giant whitefly can also be controlled with a strong spray of water. Whiteflies attract a beneficial parasitic wasp that will also destroy them, which is why it's preferable that you don't use any insecticides on the plants, but instead wait for the biological control to do its work. Cucumber beetles do the most damage feeding on young leaves, so cover plants with row cover to keep off the beetles until the plants are more mature.

  Transplant When's the best time to dig up and transplant this from one spot to another? (This is different than planting). Any special requirements? April Transplant plants grown indoors last month outdoors in a full-sun location with loose, well-draining soil.

  Harvest When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features? May Pick bean pods when the seed starts to swell slightly and they are bright green. Harvest regularly. Avoid letting the pods mature on the plant, as it will stop bearing. June Pick bean pods when the seed starts to swell slightly and they are bright green. Harvest regularly. Avoid letting the pods mature on the plant, as it will stop bearing. July Pick bean pods when the seed starts to swell slightly and they are bright green. Harvest regularly. Avoid letting the pods mature on the plant, as it will stop bearing. August Pick bean pods when the seed starts to swell slightly and they are bright green. Harvest regularly. Avoid letting the pods mature on the plant, as it will stop bearing.

  Special requirements Any other requirement for this plant? Is there anything that doesn't fit into the other care categories? March Beans are shallow-rooted, so avoid cultivating around the root zone. April Beans are shallow-rooted, so avoid cultivating around the root zone. May Beans are shallow-rooted, so avoid cultivating around the root zone. June Beans are shallow-rooted, so avoid cultivating around the root zone. July Beans are shallow-rooted, so avoid cultivating around the root zone. August Beans are shallow-rooted, so avoid cultivating around the root zone.