Snap beans grow best in full sun (they are tolerant of light shade) in a moist, well-drained, friable and moderately fertile soil.

Sandy loam soils which are loose and warm rapidly in spring are preferred, but beans can be grown successfully on heavier clay or organic soils provided the soil is properly prepared and well managed. This may include mixing in some coarse sand to loosen the soil to improve drainage and aeration.

Snap beans make best use of fertilizers if the pH is 6.0 to 6.5. When lime and/or fertilizer is applied, till it six to eight inches deep just prior to planting. Break up large clods of soil and rake the area smooth.

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.

Snap beans are a warm season crop that grows best when the mean temperature is between 70º and 85ºF. Temperatures that are too high can cause plants to drop blossoms. Germination is delayed when soil temperature is below 65ºF. In most parts of Connecticut, planting of snap beans can be done successfully in mid- to late May.

The bush-type varieties are usually planted in rows. 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. Pole varieties are also planted in hills three feet apart in all directions. Sow six to eight seeds in each hill and thin to three to four strongest plants to a hill.

Snap beans have large seeds which are sown 1 to 11/2 inches deep. Successive plantings of bush-type varieties at two-week intervals can prolong the harvest season.

Weeds are controlled easily in the seedling stage by shallow cultivation. Do not cultivate too deep because bean roots are close to the surface.

A two- to four-inch layer of mulching material such as straw, weed-free hay, mulch, lawn clippings or other loose organic material can be effective against annual weeds if it is applied to weed-free soil. Black plastic stops all weed growth and may hasten bean growth by warming the soil.

Beans are sensitive to both dry and wet conditions. Too much or too little water can cause beans to drop their flower buds or pods. Keep the soil evenly moist. An inch of water per week is needed during the growing season. This will moisten the soil to a depth of six to 12 inches.

Snap beans are harvested as immature pods before the seeds are well developed. At this stage, they have the best flavor and nutritional value. Beans must be picked two times a week to ensure a continuous harvest. If pods are allowed to mature, the plant will stop blooming.

Snap beans are attacked by many insects and diseases and their damage can be serious at times. However, problems are best controlled by some preventive measures such as planting disease-resistant varieties or disease-free seeds, removing and destroying all diseased plants in and near the garden, using crop rotation, not handling plants when the foliage is wet, and keeping the garden and surrounding areas free of debris and weeds.

Chemical control is another way to combat diseases and insects. However, it should be used only after all other methods have failed.