Armyworms or earworms may be found in peas during heavy worm years. Sevin insecticide or handpicking are effective controls. String beans can be planted from April 15 until about August 15. Many people like several small plantings of snap beans in order to have fresh beans all summer. If you plan to can or freeze a quantity of snap beans, make your main planting early to reduce problems with worms and heat.
Heat causes the blossoms to drop off.
It also makes it uncomfortable for the gardener to harvest and process the vegetables. Plant bush-type snap beans in rows 2 to 3 feet wide with 2 to 3 inches between plants. Many of the new varieties of snap beans are more tender and less stringy than old varieties. While pole snap beans aren't difficult to grow, most gardeners prefer bush beans because they require less room and less work. Good pole bean varieties include Kentucky Wonder, Kentucky Wonder 119, and Bluelake strains.