Butter Beans – Few, Flat Beans

Q: For many years I’ve grown pole butter beans but this year the vines look great but there are few beans and they are flat.

A: Flat beans usually indicate poor pollination. Butterbeans are self-pollinating but produce enough nectar to attract bees. This is good because cross-pollinating with nearby beans of different varieties seems to increase successful pollination for all. Next time plant different bean varieties and some pollinator-friendly plants.