Here are my tips for sowing and growing pole and bush beans (not Fava Beans):
Outdoor Sowing Tips:  1) Soak the seeds for about 6 hours to speed up germination and/or wrap the seeds in a damp paper towel and put them in a ziplock overnight. 2) Sow the seeds about 1 inch deep when the soil temperature is between 60° and 85°F for germination. For pole beans, I usually plant them 4 inches apart. For bush beans, I usually plant them between 4 and 9 per square foot which mean between 6 and 4 inches apart. 3) Cover the area where you planted the seeds with netting or a row cover to keep the birds from eating the seeds.
Indoor Sowing Tips: 1) Soak the seeds for about 6 hours to speed up germination and/or wrap the seeds in a damp paper towel and put them in a ziplock overnight. 2) Put the seeds in seed trays under grow lights until the bean shoot is about 2 to 3 inches high. 3) Carefully remove the seedling and transplant them with the spacing noted above.
Most seed packets don’t encourage indoor sowing for bean seeds, but I do it all the time. I find that the germination rate is quicker and better. Also, the birds don’t fuss with the seedlings.
Growing Tips: 4) 6) Bean seedlings and plants like consistent moisture. 5) Hill the soil around the bean so they don’t sit in too much water especially during the rainy season. 6) If you are growing pole beans, be ready with your trellis. Since pole beans typically grow about 6ft or more, I am using a cattle fencing for my trellis tunnel.
Beans are part of the Legume Family and are a Pod veggie just like peas.
