How to Grow Bush Blue Lake 274
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Bush Blue Lake 274'
Bush Blue Lake 274 is a reliable warm-season bean variety prized for its bush habit and rapid production. Gardeners favor this easy-to-grow crop for its consistent yields of tender pods that thrive in full sun.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Bush Blue Lake 274: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Bush Blue Lake 274 is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors only after the last frost date once soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently for germination.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 to suit these beans. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the soil is thoroughly warm before sowing directly outdoors. Press seeds into the ground at a depth of one inch; they typically sprout within seven to ten days.
Space plants four to six inches apart in rows and water consistently with about an inch per week, ensuring moisture during flowering. While this bush type does not require trellising, apply mulch around the base to retain soil moisture. Feed lightly if growth slows, but avoid over-fertilizing which can reduce pod quality.
Watch for bean beetles, aphids, spider mites, and cutworms; encourage beneficial insects or use organic sprays as needed. Prevent bacterial blight, anthracnose, rust, and white mold by rotating crops and ensuring good air circulation. Harvest pods fifty to fifty-five days after sowing when they are tender and firm.
When to Plant Bush Blue Lake 274
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | July – August | September – August |
| Zone 2 | — | June – August | September |
| 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 |
| Zone 11 | — | January – March | April – May |
| Zone 12 | — | January – March | April – May |
| Zone 13 | — | January – March | April – May |
Companion Plants for Bush Blue Lake 274
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips that commonly attack beans
Deep taproot breaks up soil for bean roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Repels flea beetles and ants that can damage bean plants
Provides natural support structure for beans while beans fix nitrogen for corn
Repels bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting beans
Quick-growing companion that loosens soil and is harvested before beans need space
Large leaves provide ground cover, retain moisture, and suppress weeds around bean plants
✗ Keep away from
Inhibits bean growth and nitrogen fixation through allelopathic compounds
Stunts bean growth and reduces yield through root secretions
Competes heavily for nutrients and water, may release growth-inhibiting chemicals
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
