Green beans are one of the vegetables in the supermarket. Why increase your own? First, they are easy and quick to produce, making them a good selection for a beginning gardener. Second, and probably more significant, growing your own beans permits you to enjoy the great range of beans available, such as a few gourmet favorites which may be harder to come by in the regional shop or just a farmer’s market.
For best results, especially in containers or even a new garden, look for seeds which have been inoculated with the rhizobium bacteria, which aids the beans fix nitrogen in the soil.
Plant by plant: See the way to grow all the summer crops
Lisa Nieschlag “Liz & Jewels”
Snap beans are what most people first consider at the bean family; this is the generic name for string beans and green beans. Traditionally, snap beans have long green pods, but you’ll also find some which are yellow (frequently called wax beans), orange and orange. Bush varieties, which reach 1 to 3 feet tall, have a shorter production period than climbing, or pole, varieties, which have vines that could reach around 15 feet long. Filet beans, or haricots verts, are lean versions of snap beans which should be harvested when young.
Shelling beans,also called “shellies,” are dry beans which may be harvested and shelled to be consumed while they are still green. You’ll also find them referred to as horticultural gourmet or legumes flageolet beans.
Dry beans contain the familiar pinto, kidney, navy and cannellini beans in addition to more esoteric types. Dry beans are kept on the bush or vine until the pods shatter, then they are harvested, shelled and kept (think of jars of beans at a pantry or popular soup beans).
Lima beans evoke powerful feelings in people, so bear this in mind if you add them to your garden. They combine features of both dry and snap beans. They seem like snap beans and are available as bush and pole varieties, but are slower growing and need to be shelled before eating. They may be eaten green or dried.
Soybeans, or edamame, although technically not in precisely the exact same family as other beans, are gaining in popularity in home gardens and increased in the same conditions. These humidity-loving beans produce fuzzy pods on bushes and are an excellent protein source. The term “edamame” may be used as a synonym for “soybean” and may also refer to the beans as soon as they’re shelled and to a dish made from the beans.
Scarlet runner beans are used primarily as a quick-growing flowering blossom, but you are able to eat the beans when they are young, up to about 3 inches long.
The Brickman Group, Ltd..
When to plant: Once soil temperatures have warmed, probably around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 to 21 degrees Celsius); seeds may rot in the ground when the soil is too moist or cold.
Days to maturity: Snap beans: 45 to 80 times; shelling beans: 70 to 80 times; dry beans: 85 to 100 times; lima beans: 65 to 100 times; soybeans: 65 to 95 times
Light requirement: Full sun
water condition: Keep the soil moist but not too wet once plants emerge
Favorites:
snap beans: Blue Lake, Émérite (haricots verts), Garden of Eden, Kentucky Wonder, Lazy Housewife, Marvel of Venice, Northeaster, Purple Queen, Ramdor, Romano, Royal Burgundy, Tricolorshelling beans: Borlotto, Chevrier, flageolet, French horticultural bean, Great Northern whitedry beans: shelling bean types, Aztec Dwarf White, European Soldier, Hutterite Soup Beans, Jacob’s Cattle, Kenearly Yellow Eye, New Mexico Appaloosalima beans: Christmas, Fordhook 242, Henderson Bush (short period), King of the Gardensoybeans: Butter beans, Early Hakucho, Envy, Midori Giantscarlet runner beans: Painted Lady Improved, Scarlet Emperor
Planting and maintenance: Sow seeds in loose, well-drained, moist soil. Do not be concerned about tilling too deeply, as beans have shallow roots. Space them 1 inch heavy (lima beans could be a bit shallower) and 1 to 3 inches apart, with 2 to 3 feet between rows.
Begin watering when seedlings emerge and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Fertilize after the plants start growing, then again when the beans start to form. Mulch when the plants reach about 6 inches tall.
Unique Gardens and Gifts
Arboria Irish Moss Pyramid Trellis – $123.04
Provide support for pole beans using a single rod, trellis, grid system, tepee-like structure made of poles, wire or twine interwoven as a web-like structure, or possibly a fence or wall.
Monticello
Cedar Plant Pyramid – $165
Be sure the support is tall enough to deal with the last length of the blossom. Start training the vines when they are about 6 inches tall.
Robin Amorello CAPS – Atmoscaper Design
You can also grow beans in a container or increased bed. Choose one at least 8 to 10 inches deep (pole beans want more room than bush beans) and 12 inches wide and then repair any supports for climbers in place before planting.
Robin Amorello, CKD CAPS – Atmoscaper Design
Beans are subject to a number of common garden pests, such as aphids, different beetles, spider mites and whiteflies. Contemplate row covers for bush types to protect them when they are young. Downy mildew, bean mosaic diseases and rust may be issues too.
Kate
Harvest: Pick snap beans each couple of days as soon as they start to grow, so the plant will still continue to produce. For dry beans, wait till the bean pods dry out or start to shatter, then remove the beans from the pods and dry and then keep them. Pick shelling beans about two to three weeks before the “dry bean” stage, and limas and soybeans when ripe.
