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Growing Kentucky Dreamer Bush Beans in the Vegetable Garden
Kentucky Dreamer bush beans thrive when direct-sown into the garden after the danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed to around 60–70 F. Start by preparing the soil, which should be well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0), and rich in organic matter. Loosen the soil to a depth of about 6–8 inches to promote healthy root growth.
Sow the seeds 1 inch deep and space them 4–6 inches apart in rows. The rows should be spaced about 18–24 inches apart to give the plants plenty of room to grow and allow for good airflow, which helps prevent diseases. Since Kentucky Dreamer is a bush variety, it doesn’t require trellising or staking, making it an easy option for both small gardens and large beds.
Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather. Once the plants start flowering, you can side-dress with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to boost pod production, but avoid over-fertilizing. Regularly check for pests like aphids or bean beetles and remove any weeds that could compete for nutrients and water. Mulching around the base of the plants helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Harvesting Kentucky Dreamer Bush Beans
You can start harvesting when the beans reach about 4–6 inches in length and feel firm but still flexible. Snap beans are ready when the pods are smooth and filled out but not bulging with seeds. The best time to harvest is in the morning when the pods are crisp and cool. To harvest, simply pinch the pod off the plant or use garden scissors to avoid damaging the plant. Regular picking encourages the plant to produce more pods, so try to harvest every few days once the beans start coming in.
About Kentucky Dreamer Bush Bean Garden Seeds
Kentucky Dreamer is a modern bush bean variety bred for disease resistance, high yields, and heat tolerance. It likely originated in the U.S., developed by breeders looking to create a reliable variety for home gardeners and small-scale farmers.
Its tender, sweet flavor makes it a favorite for fresh eating, and it’s versatile in the kitchen, perfect for salads, stir-fries, or simply steamed with butter.
Kentucky Dreamer is low in calories yet rich in fiber, vitamins A and C, and essential minerals like potassium and magnesium.
Tips From Our Gardeners
“I highly recommend mulching with fine wood chips, straw, or leaves. Bean plant root systems are notoriously shallow yet sensitive to being disturbed and dried out. Both things that mulch can help with!"
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer
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Other Resources
Kentucky Dreamer Bush Bean Seeds Per Package:
- .5 oz - Packet - Approximately 67 Seeds
- 4 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 540 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 2,160 Seeds
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 10,800 Seeds
- 25 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 54,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Kentucky Dreamer Bush Bean seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
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ATTRIBUTES
Basic Info
Latin Name: |
Phaseolus vulgaris
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Bean Sub-Type: |
Not Applicable. |
Kentucky Dreamer Bush Bean Color: |
Green |
Kentucky Dreamer Bush Bean Flavor: |
Sweet, tender, and crisp. |
Growing Info
Hardiness Zone: |
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
Days to Maturity: |
50-54 |
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 1, 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, boiling, sauteing, steaming, stir-frying, casserole, soup, salad. |
Climate Tolerance: |
N/A |