Anyone who grows beans wants them to be as fruitful as possible. Beans that only produce a few pods are not worth the effort. The kind of soil and fertilizer used can make a big difference in the quality and quantity of beans produced. Clay soil and potting soil work equally well for growing beans if the right techniques are used.
Soil Preparation
Beans can grow in almost any kind of soil. The best kinds of soil to use for beans are soils that are loose and well aerated. Any soil can be turned into aerated soil with the right mixture of fertilizer and mulches placed in and on top of the soil. Gardeners who have smaller gardens might wish to use potting soil. Potting soil designed for vegetables has some of the best nutrition quality for growing any kind of bean.
Clay soil
Beans will grow quite well in clay soils. However, because clay soil is dense, the ground can get hard underneath and a light soil crust can form on the top. Gardeners working with clay soil should make sure to plant the beans deep enough to prevent the beans from rooting in the upper layer of soil. Seeds should be planted a little more than 1 inch deep. For best results, mix 2-3 inches of organic materials such as compost with 1 pound of fertilizer for each 100 feet of soil.
Potting Soil
Potting soil is a mixture of dirt and minerals designed to provide plants and vegetables with the best mix of nutrients. Potting soil will work great for growing beans, but the right kind of soil must be purchased. Any potting soil that is specifically targeted toward vegetables will work better than potting soils targeted for flower growth. Most nurseries sell several kinds of vegetable potting soil.
Considerations
In general, pole beans grow better in northern climates, and bush beans and dry beans grow best in more southern climates. The kind of soil that is present does not limit the kind of beans that can be grown. Clay soils are more common in areas close to large bodies of water such as lakes and marshes. If a soil is very clay-based, then it is a good idea to mix potting soil into the ground for large gardens. If the garden is small, it is best to use potting soil only.
Types
There are many types of beans. The main types are pole beans, bush beans and dry beans. Some common pole beans are: Kentucky Wonder, Romano and Blue Lakes. Bush beans can include: Greencrop, Tendercrop, Slenderette, Gold Crop and Kinghorn Wax. Common dry beans are: kidney, pinto, black beans and black-eyed peas. Dry beans are the most common kind of beans. Dry beans will grow better in potting soil. Pole beans grow better in clay soils. Bush beans can grow in either kind of soil.
