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.
Most beans require warm soil.
Don't plant beans before May 10. In fact, in some years, wait until May 15 because of cold, wet soil. Often home gardeners put in only one planting, but lima beans can be planted from May 15 to July 15, depending on the location. Limas should be harvested before the seeds are fully developed and have begun to dry. The favorite bush-type variety of lima is Fordhook 242.