KJFM NEWS — Garden Talk is produced monthly at the Adair County University of Missouri Extension Center in Kirksville, Mo.
There are many species of beans in cultivation around the world, yet it is the common garden bean, Phaseolus vulgaris that takes on celebrity status as National Garden Bureau’s vegetable focus for 2021.
One of the earliest cultivated plants, garden beans can trace their beginnings to Central and South America. Vining or climbing beans were an original member of the “Three-Sisters” – a companion planting of the first domesticated crops of maize, winter squash, and climbing beans. These became the three main agricultural crops used for trade and food for Native North Americans.
Green beans were once referred to as string beans due to the long fibrous thread along the pod seams. The first stringless green bean was developed in 1894 by Calvin Keeney who later became known as the “Father of the stringless bean”. Breeders continue to breed this stringless trait into modern genetics. Other desirable traits include dark green succulent pods, good bean flavor, concentrated fruit set, stress tolerance, and disease resistance.
- Beans are warm-weather vegetables and are best planted after soil temperatures reach 70F. Avoid sowing too early in the season. Cool wet soils can lead to rot.
- Beans thrive with at least eight hours of daily sun, moderate fertility, and well-drained soil.
- Beans have shallow roots, weed carefully to prevent damage to the root system.
- Mulch the soil around the bean plant; consistent moisture results in the highest quality harvests.
- Quick to mature, harvests can begin 50-60 days after sowing.
- Bush beans typically grow 12 to 24 inches tall and produce harvests for about 3 weeks.
- Succession sowing of bush beans every 2-3 weeks will produce delicious beans all season.
- Pole beans have a long harvest season, generally lasting about six to eight weeks.
- Harvest frequently to encourage pod production.
Source: National Garden Bureau
