1# BLUE LAKE BUSH GREEN BEAN

Blue Lake Bush Green Bean is a dependable, widely loved bush-type snap bean known for excellent flavor, tender pods, and strong performance in home gardens.

Quick Overview

• Type: Bush bean (no trellis needed)

• Pod color: Dark green

• Pod length: ~5–7 inches

• Flavor: Rich, classic “bean” flavor; tender and stringless when young

• Use: Fresh eating, freezing, limited canning

• Days to maturity: ~55–60 days

Why gardeners choose Blue Lake Bush

• ✅ Superior flavor compared to many bush beans

• ✅ Tender, meaty pods with good snap

• ✅ Compact plants (~15–18 inches tall)

• ✅ Pods resist becoming overly fibrous if harvested on time

Note: Bush Blue Lake types don’t yield quite as long as pole Blue Lake, but they’re easier to manage and fit small gardens well.

Growing tips

• Planting time: After last frost; soil at least 60°F

• Spacing:

  • Plants: 3–4 inches apart

  • Rows: 18–24 inches apart

• Sun: Full sun (6–8+ hours)

• Water: Even, consistent moisture—especially during flowering

• Soil: Well-drained soil with moderate fertility (too much nitrogen = lots of leaves, fewer beans)

Harvesting

• Harvest when pods are slender, firm, and before seeds show

• Pick every 2–3 days to keep plants producing

• Best quality beans are harvested young rather than large

Kitchen notes

• Excellent fresh, steamed, sautéed, or stir-fried

• Freezes very well

• Can be canned, but texture shines best fresh or frozen