VegetableBean
Blue Lake Bean
Bush Bean
Blue Lake Bean is a reliable open-pollinated snap bean that has earned its place in home gardens across zones 3 through 11 for over a century. This upright bush variety produces tender, flavorful pods ready to harvest in 50 to 59 days, making it one of the fastest beans to reach your table. Growing just 12 to 24 inches tall, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and fits neatly into containers, raised beds, and garden plots. Its disease resistance to Bacterial Blight, BCMV, Powdery Mildew, and other common bean troubles means you spend more time harvesting and less time managing problems.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/bean-bush-blue-lake-bush-organic)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Preferred Temp65-85°F
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
PeriodAnnual
TypeBush - Compact Growth
Spacing
6 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-11
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Blue Lake Bush Bean earns its reputation through genuine reliability rather than hype. The pods snap cleanly and cook quickly, with a clean, uncomplicated flavor that speaks for itself in both fresh preparations and preservation. Its open-pollinated genetics mean you can save seeds year after year, building a relationship with this cultivar that improves with your growing experience. Container-friendly and compact without sacrificing productivity, it delivers consistent harvests from even modest garden space.
Common Uses
Blue Lake beans excel as fresh snap beans, their tender pods steamed whole or briefly sautéed. They preserve beautifully through canning and freezing, making them a staple for home food preservation. The quick cooking time and mild flavor make them equally at home in simple preparations like buttered beans or as part of composed vegetable dishes where they won't overwhelm other ingredients.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
40-45 Days After Sowing
First Harvest
55-65 Days After Sowing
Last Harvest
Determinate
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow Blue Lake bean seeds into the garden after the last spring frost, when soil temperature reaches 60°F or warmer. This variety germinates reliably when soil conditions are warm, typically within 7 to 10 days.
Harvesting
Harvest Blue Lake bean pods when they reach 5 to 6 inches long and snap cleanly when bent, typically 50 to 59 days after sowing. Pick pods while still tender and before the beans inside begin to bulge noticeably; this stage offers the finest texture and flavor. Regular picking encourages the plant to produce more pods rather than focusing energy on seed development, extending your harvest window by several weeks.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Soil pH Range
6 – 7
Scientific Classification
Phaseolus L.
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Phaseolus
History & Origin
“Blue Lake Bush Bean descends from the pole bean of the same name, which became a commercial standard in American agriculture during the mid-20th century. This bush cultivar was developed to capture the prized qualities of its tall ancestor while fitting the practical constraints of home gardens and small-scale farming. Its open-pollinated nature means the seed you save today preserves genetics unchanged from the original selection, connecting you directly to decades of gardening tradition.”