Bean Seeds - Bush - Blue Lake 274
50-65 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Blue Lake 247 Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom snap bush bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Blue Lake 274 is the classic bean that comes to mind when you think of a green bean. It has been known in the canning industry for years because of its reliability, huge yields, disease resistance, and ability to bear all at once, making canning a much easier task. Blue Lake produces plump, tender, dark green pods that are about 5.5 inches long. The bush itself only grows about 16 inches, saving space in your garden but producing big, juicy yields. This is THE green bean for canning or freezing. Bush Blue Lake bean resists BCMV; tolerates NY15. ~87 seeds/oz.
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Growing Blue Lake 247 Bush Beans in the Vegetable Garden
Select a sunny location with well-drained soil. Direct sowing is preferred, as bush beans don’t transplant well. A balanced fertilizer (5-10-10) can be applied before planting to boost phosphorus and potassium levels, which promote healthy root and pod development. To plant, sow seeds about 1 inch deep in the soil. Space seeds 4-6 inches apart, and keep rows spaced 18-24 inches apart to ensure proper air circulation and room for growth. The soil should be warm—ideally above 65 F—for optimal germination, typically in 7-10 days.
Water regularly, aiming to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Beans require about 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or supplemental watering. It’s best to water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the leaves, which can lead to disease issues like fungal infections. Throughout the growing process, keep the area around the beans free of weeds, as they can compete for nutrients and water. Mulching around the base of the plants can help suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. Companion plants like carrots, cucumbers, or marigolds can benefit beans.
Harvesting Blue Lake 247 Bush Beans
Blue Lake 247 is a snap bean variety, meaning the pods are harvested while tender and immature before the seeds fully develop. Typically, the beans are ready to harvest 55-60 days after sowing. The best time to harvest is when the pods are about 6 inches long, firm, and crisp, but before they become fibrous. You can tell they’re ready when they are full-sized but still smooth, without visible bumps from the developing seeds inside. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more beans. To harvest, grasp the bean pod firmly and gently pull or snip it off the plant to avoid damaging the stem. The beans tend to mature quickly, especially in warm weather.
About Blue Lake 247 Bush Bean Garden Seeds
Because of its uniform pod size and consistent tenderness, it became one of the preferred varieties for commercial growers in the mid-20th century, especially for processing.
The Blue Lake bean family originated in the Blue Lake District of California in the early 20th century. Originally developed as a pole bean, the bush variety (Blue Lake 247) was later developed to meet the demand for a bean that didn’t require staking but still had the original's high quality and great taste.
Because it’s a bush bean, it doesn’t require a trellis or much support, making it great for beginner gardeners or those with limited garden space.
Stories From Our Gardeners
"According to Health Line, cooked green beans have more fiber than fresh green beans. I don’t know the science behind it, but I like it.”
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Blue Lake 247 Bush Bean Seeds Per Package:
- 18 g - Packet- Approximately 55 Seeds
- 30 g - Packet- Approximately 90 Seeds
- 4 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 350 Seeds
- 1 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 1,400 Seeds
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 7,000 Seeds
- 25 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 35,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Blue Lake 247 Bush Bean seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
=======Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Phaseolus vulgaris |
| Bean Sub-Type: | Not Applicable. |
| Blue Lake 247 Bush Bean Color: | Green |
| Blue Lake 247 Bush Bean Flavor: | Tender, sweet, and crisp pods with a mild, classic green bean flavor. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 50-65 |
| Days to Germination: | 5-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 1 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 4-6 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 18-24 inches |
| Plant Height: | 12-24 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Upright |
| Soil Preference: | Beans prefer well-draining, nutrient-rich, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. As light feeders and nitrogen-fixing legumes, beans do not require nitrogen-heavy fertilizers. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F). |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | Yes, direct sow when soil temperatures are reliably above 60 F. Planting with an inoculant may increase yields, but is certainly not required for a successful grow. |
| Start Indoors: | Not Recommended. Beans grow best without any root disturbance. We recommend direct sowing instead of transplanting. |
| Bean Pollination: | Beans are self-pollinating as they contain both the male and female parts within their flowers, unlike other fruit and vegetable plants. While they are self-pollinating, having a variety of pollinators and flowers around will improve yields by ensuring the greatest chances for pollinating events to occur. |
| Snap or Shell Bean: | Snap - Snap beans have a fleshy edible pod. Snap beans are also commonly referred to as string beans or green beans (though not all snap beans are green). They are called snap beans because they make a snapping sound when you break them in half. |
| Pole or Bush Bean: | Bush - Bush beans grow on low-growing, compact, upright, bushy plants that typically do not need a trellis, pole, or other support. Bush beans are usually favorable to container growing. |
| Plant Width: | 12-18 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Early - Ready for harvest around 45-65 days. |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Germination Temperature: | 70-90 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Resistant to Bean Common Mosaic Virus (race 15). Beans are susceptible to beetles, aphids, spider mites, and cutworms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Keeping your bean plants clean from dust build-up and surrounded by a variety of plants to help deter and prevent pest damage. Beans are also susceptible to powdery mildew, bean blight, rust, and root rot. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than the leaves will help maintain healthy bean plant growth. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container |
| Bean Use: | Fresh eating, canning, freezing, or adding to stir-fries and salads. |
| Climate Tolerance: | N/A |