Blue Lake 274 Bush Bean Seeds

Blue Lake 274 Bush Bean is a dependable heirloom green bean known for its excellent flavor and consistent garden performance. This compact bush variety produces tender, crisp pods with a mild, slightly sweet taste that’s ideal for fresh eating, cooking, and preserving. Plants grow neatly without the need for trellising and mature quickly, making them a great choice for garden beds, raised beds, or containers. Blue Lake 274 beans are valued for their uniform, straight pods and reliable yields, making them a longtime favorite among home gardeners.

Seed Packet Details

• Packet Size: Standard home-garden seed packet (Approx. 80 seeds)

Packed with care and shipped from Kentucky.

Product Details

Botanical Name: Phaseolus vulgaris
Variety: Blue Lake 274 Bush Bean
Seed Type: Open-pollinated heirloom
Life Cycle: Annual

What to Expect

Blue Lake 274 bush beans grow as compact, sturdy plants reaching about 16–18 inches tall. This stringless snap bean produces long, straight green pods with a tender texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor. Plants are high yielding and mature quickly, making them a dependable choice for home gardens, raised beds, and container growing. As a bush variety, Blue Lake 274 does not require trellising and performs reliably throughout the season.

Growing Basics

• Sun: Full sun

• Plant Height: 16–18 inches

• Sow Method: Direct sow recommended

• Sow Depth: 1 inch

• Plant Spacing: About 2 inches

• Row Spacing: About 24 inches

• Growing Conditions: Container friendly

• Season: Early season variety

• Days to Maturity: Approximately 50 days

Growing Guide: Beans

Overview

Beans are commonly known as snap beans, green beans, or string beans and are one of the most productive crops for home gardens. As warm-season plants, beans grow quickly and provide generous harvests when conditions are right. Fresh beans can be enjoyed straight from the garden or used in a wide variety of recipes.

Before Planting

Beans thrive in full sun and warm soil. For best germination, wait until soil temperatures are above 60°F, with ideal growing temperatures in the 70–80°F range. Beans are not heavy feeders and actually help improve soil health by fixing nitrogen. They grow well in average garden soil and perform best in soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, around 5.8–6.5. Many bean varieties are also well suited for container growing.

Planting

Beans are best direct sown outdoors once the soil has warmed.

• Plant seeds 1–1½ inches deep

• Space plants 3–4 inches apart after thinning

• Allow adequate space between rows for airflow

• For fall harvests, seeds can be planted slightly deeper during warm weather

Beans germinate reliably in warm soil and establish quickly when planted at the right time.

Watering

Beans need consistent moisture throughout the growing season. Provide about 1 inch of water per week, especially during flowering and pod development. Avoid letting soil dry out during bloom, as this can reduce yields. Water at the base of plants when possible to keep foliage dry and help prevent disease.

Fertilizing

Beans generally require minimal fertilization. If soil is low in nutrients, a light application of a balanced fertilizer can be applied once plants begin flowering. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which encourages leafy growth instead of pod production. Water plants after fertilizing to help nutrients reach the roots.

Days to Maturity

Most bean varieties mature quickly, typically producing harvestable pods in 50–75 days, depending on the variety and growing conditions. In many regions, successive plantings can provide both early and late-season harvests.

Harvesting

Harvest beans while pods are young, firm, and crisp.

• Pick regularly to encourage continued production

• Pods should snap cleanly when bent

• Over-mature pods become tough and stringy

When harvesting, support the plant with one hand while picking with the other to avoid damaging stems.

Storing

Fresh beans can be stored in the refrigerator for about one week. Beans may also be frozen or preserved for longer storage, depending on the variety.

Growing Tips

• Harvest frequently to keep plants producing

• Use mulch to help retain moisture and control weeds

• Monitor plants regularly for pests or disease and address issues early

• Healthy spacing and good airflow help reduce common problems