Technically the official Bean Day was yesterday, which is when I meant to write about this, but alas, it was gloomy and chilly and in an attempt to warm it up, I totally forgot Bean Day and posted about spring colors instead. But it’s not like I missed Christmas or anything. Bean day is one of those kooky holidays that lacks a precise origin. According to Holiday Insights, Bean Day is an actual day that’s always celebrated on January 6th but there’s no rhyme or reason to it. Basically it’s just a fun day to focus on beans. Which sounds good to me. Fresh grown beans of all sorts beat dried, frozen, and canned by a giant landslide.
Bean varieties 101: When it comes to munching, beans mainly fall into two large categories – tough podded beans and edible podded beans. Although many go further and divide beans into the following – snap, shell and dry. With tough pods (or shells if you like) the beans are allowed to fully mature on the vine then are picked and the beans are removed before eating. Edible pods (no surprise) means beans that can be eaten pod and all before they reach full maturity. As for growing, there are a couple of bean varieties as well – climbing vine beans and bush beans.
Bean gardening 101: Beans hate the cold. They won’t grow properly in damp and chilly weather. Wait until your soil warms up in the spring to plant outside. I had luck one year growing some Blue Lake Beans inside, in a large container, in a sunny spot before spring hit so if you have a decent sized container this is one option. Beans aren’t too picky about soil nutrients but well-drained soil is a must.
For planting spacing make sure you check your seed packets. Beans vary wildly in space requirements. For example many pole varieties can be grown in garden rows spaced about 25 inches apart and seeds every three inches while some lima beans need more space (plant seeds eight inches apart). But these are just generals, all bean types can vary so make sure you have room in your garden for the type you choose, both vertically and horizontally. Pole beans will need a support. Plant bush beans successively (every two weeks) and plant pole, lima, and shell beans once per season – but of course read up on your specific variety.
Bean harvesting 101: Allow tough shelled beans to mature fully and pick edible pod beans frequently before you see a strained bulge in the pod. One thing about beans is that while they do like warm weather they sometimes stop producing when it gets too hot. Don’t worry too much, just continue to care for your beans and once the hot spell passes they should continue to produce. Don’t pick beans when the plants are wet because it can spread disease among your plants.
Beans are pretty darn easy. However, as always grow a variety suitable for your climate and if you need more help, following are some basic bean growing guides.
- Growing French Beans
- Beans types and cooking tips
- Advice for growing organic beans
- Growing dry edible beans
- Methods of supporting pole or runner beans
- Grow soybeans at home
- Canning beans
[image via stock.xchng]
Post from: Blisstree