Break up large clods of soil and rake the area smooth. Varieties Snap beans are the most popular bean, and many of the varieties are stringless. Beans have a short growing season and are harvested when the pods are immature. The snap bean is a member of the legume family and has the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in its roots. However, beans do not remain in the ground long enough to be effective in producing nitrogen-fixing nodules.
Snap beans are either bush or pole types.
Bush types are self-supporting plants that grow one to two feet high, while pole types produce vines that require support such as stakes or a trellis. For single rows with 18 to 30 inches between rows, the seeds are sown one to two inches apart, and seedlings are thinned to two inches apart. For wide row plantings that are 18 inches wide, the seeds are placed three to four inches apart in all directions. The pole varieties are planted in rows two to four feet apart with seeds spaced one to two inches apart. Use stakes or a trellis to hold vines from falling to the ground.