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Bush Lake Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Bush Lake'

The beloved Blue Lake flavor in a space-saving bush form, Bush Lake delivers the same exceptional taste and stringless quality that made Blue Lake famous. This compact variety is perfect for smaller gardens and containers while maintaining the superior eating quality of its pole bean cousin. Produces concentrated harvests of tender, straight pods that are ideal for fresh eating or preserving.

Harvest

50-55d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Bush Lake Bean in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 bean →

Zone Map

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Bush Lake Bean · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing4-6 inches apart

SoilWell-drained, fertile loam

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, avoid wetting foliage

SeasonWarm season

FlavorClassic Blue Lake flavor, tender and sweet

ColorMedium green

Size5-6 inches long

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	June – July	August – October
Zone 4	—	—	June – July	August – October
Zone 5	—	—	May – June	August – September
Zone 6	—	—	May – June	July – September
Zone 7	—	—	April – June	July – August
Zone 8	—	—	April – May	June – August
Zone 9	—	—	March – April	May – July
Zone 10	—	—	February – April	May – June

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: 'Rattlesnake'Pole Snap Bean, 'Rattlesnake'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The boat-shaped seed pods are bilaterally symmetrical and can be green, yellow, white, or purple at maturity. There is a wide variety of color and shape choices among cultivars.

Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Purple/Lavender, White. Type: Legume. Length: > 3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible, Good Dried

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Spring, Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Bush Lake beans keep best in the refrigerator crisper drawer, stored in perforated plastic bags to maintain humidity while allowing air circulation. They'll stay crisp for 5-7 days but are best used within 3-4 days for peak flavor and texture.

For freezing, blanch whole pods in boiling water for 3 minutes, then plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in portions sized for your family's needs. Properly blanched and frozen Bush Lake beans maintain excellent quality for 8-10 months.

These beans excel for canning due to their firm texture and classic Blue Lake flavor. Use tested recipes for pressure canning—never water bath can green beans. For a unique preservation method, try lacto-fermenting young, tender pods with garlic and dill for a probiotic-rich pickle that complements the beans' natural sweetness.

History & Origin

Origin: Tropical America

Advantages

+Fast-growing

Considerations

-Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Marigold

Repels bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Basil

Deters aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving bean flavor

Carrots

Loosens soil for bean roots and doesn't compete for nutrients

Corn

Provides natural support structure for climbing varieties and benefits from nitrogen fixation

Squash

Ground cover reduces weeds, retains moisture, and completes the Three Sisters planting

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while adding nitrogen to soil

Lettuce

Provides ground cover and shade for bean roots while utilizing different soil nutrients

Radishes

Breaks up compacted soil and deters bean beetles without competing for space

Keep Apart

Onions

Inhibits bean growth through allelopathic compounds and competes for nutrients

Garlic

Stunts bean growth and development through root secretions

Sunflowers

Allelopathic effects inhibit bean germination and early growth

Nutrition Facts

Protein

1.97g(4%)

Fiber

3.01g(11%)

Carbs

7.41g(3%)

Fat

0.275g(0%)

Vitamin K

43.9mcg(37%)

Iron

0.652mg(4%)

Calcium

40mg(3%)

Potassium

290mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346400)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Resistant to common bean mosaic virus

Common Pests

Mexican bean beetles, spider mites

Diseases

Rust, anthracnose, bacterial blight

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Bush Lake bean take to grow?▼

Bush Lake beans mature in 50-55 days from direct seeding. You can start harvesting tender pods about 7-8 weeks after planting, with peak production occurring over a concentrated 2-3 week period. This makes them ideal for succession planting every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvests throughout the growing season.

Can you grow Bush Lake beans in containers?▼

Yes, Bush Lake beans are excellent for container growing due to their compact 18-24 inch size and no staking requirements. Use containers at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide, with drainage holes. Plant 4-6 seeds per large container, spacing them evenly. Container plants need more frequent watering but produce well with proper care.

Is Bush Lake bean good for beginners?▼

Bush Lake is excellent for beginning gardeners because it's easy to grow, requires no staking, and produces reliable harvests. The main requirements are warm soil (60°F+) for planting and consistent watering. The concentrated harvest makes it simple to know when to pick, and the disease resistance helps ensure success.

What does Bush Lake bean taste like?▼

Bush Lake beans have the classic Blue Lake flavor—tender, sweet, and mild with excellent eating quality. The pods are stringless and maintain their crisp texture when cooked. They're less beany-tasting than many varieties, with a clean, fresh flavor that's perfect for fresh eating, steaming, or preserving.

When should I plant Bush Lake beans?▼

Plant Bush Lake beans after your last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 60°F. In most areas, this is 1-2 weeks after the last frost. Planting in cold soil causes poor germination and weak plants. For best results, wait until nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F.

Bush Lake vs Blue Lake beans - what's the difference?▼

Bush Lake is a bush variety bred from Blue Lake pole beans, offering the same exceptional flavor and stringless quality in a compact form. Blue Lake grows 6-8 feet tall and needs staking but produces over a longer season. Bush Lake grows only 18-24 inches tall, requires no support, but has a more concentrated 2-3 week harvest window.