Plant Nutrition / Beans
"Over
14,000 species of the Fabaceae family (formerly called Leguminosae)
exist--but only some 20 are actually grown in any quantity as a human
food." Genus is Phaseolus. The Common bean species is known
as vulgaris. The Runner bean species is known as coccineus.
NUTRITION: The foods lowest in fat should make up the largest portion of your daily nutrition. Most beans contain only 2-3% fat and are the perfect food for fat restricted diets. They have no cholesterol and help lower cholesterol levels. When beans are combined with nuts, seeds and grains, they make a complete high-fiber nutrition. Beans contain about 20% protein. High in carbohydrates beans are provide long lasting energy.
SOIL & PLANTING REQUIREMENTS:
Beans, like all legumes, have a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria in the soil. They collect atmospheric nitrogen and fix it into the nodules located at the roots where nitrogen is slowly released into the soil. A well-cultivated soil with good drainage, rotated bean crops each year to prevent diseases. If planting in new soil for the first time it is best to inoculate the beans before planting. This involves buying a packet of the appropriate type of dry bacteria and dust the seeds with it then plant.
Plant in Hills 1 inch deep and 2 to 3 inches apart. For planting in Rows, plant 1 inch deep and 18 to 24 inches apart. Once seedlings have emerged and have their true leaves, thin the plants to every 6 inches.
For SQUARE FOOT GARDENING plant 9 seeds 4 inches apart per square foot. Water your crop once a week or more during dry weather.
Beans germinate above 55°F. (Except Fava beans which are frost tolerant and best planted where the temperature does not drop below 10° F/-12°C.) Sow seeds after all chance of frost has passed.
Consistent moisture is required for a good harvest. Water regularly during dry periods, 2-3 in/5-8cm per week. To retain moisture and control weeds mulch with straw, grass, organic compost or shredded-composted leaves. Weed as necessary.
Dry Beans: Also referred to as "field beans" they are considered to be a short season crop, for the home gardener dry beans take up a lot of space and time to grow. It is easier to purchase a large variety of dry beans at reasonable prices. They do not tolerate frost and should not be planted until the soil has warmed up to 50° F. The best growing temperature is from 65° to 75° F. Most varieties range from 85 to 110 days from sprouting to harvest. Lima beans come in the pole and bush varieties.
HARVESTING: requires allowing the beans to stay on the plant until maturity. When most of the leaves have fallen off the plant, cut the plant just above soil level. Complete the drying process inside if necessary by tying bunches of the plants together and hanging them in a warm, dry location. When they are completely dry, you can open pods and remove seeds individually or gather them and place in a container or sack, sealing them up and beating or shaking vigorously until the seeds have been removed from the pods, which you will find at the bottom of your container.
Pole Beans: Maximize your garden space by growing beans on a trellis, bamboo, a fence, string, sunflowers or cornstalks 6 to 8 ft/1.8--2.5m tall. Tie tops with twine. Plant two or three seeds at the bottom of each leg or stalk. Runners require a much taller support system 12-14 ft/3.6-4.2m high. Usually with twine running from the ground up towards hooks in a wall and down again. Plant two or three seeds at the base of each string.
These vine growing plants are the easiest to harvest. Some varieties are stringy. They are less susceptible to disease and produce more fruit and regarded to have a better taste compared to bush beans. Their growth is a little slower but their season is longer. Most take 90 to 100 days getting to the dry stage. Green beans come in Pole and Bush varieties.
Bush Beans: Original bred for commercial harvesting they are the easiest to grow. These small bushy plants require little care and Plant every 14 to 21 days until mid-July, spacing 4-8 in./10-20cm apart. Bush beans require 50 to 60 days from sprouting to maturity. Yellow Beans only come in the bush variety.
HARVESTING: For both pole and bush beans requires regular harvesting so new pods can form. Some pole beans will have strings. In this case, you will have to snap both ends of the pole bean off and pull the attached string. You can purchase pole beans that are stringless.
SHELL BEANS: are also known as "Horticulture Beans." These may be harvested when the seed pods swell and look plump. After harvesting the pods, remove the seeds. Harvest every week to encourage the growth of new pods.
Aphids: Spread viraldiseases to legumes.
Mexican Bean Beetles: Looks like a large, beige ladybug. They are quite destructive.
Slugs and Japanese Beetles: Watch out for these guys as well.
DISEASES:
Rotate crops every year and use row covers to keep aphids from spreading diseases. Watch for asochyta blight in all chickpeas.