Bean plants are either pole varieties that grow long vines or low-growing bush types. Most varieties are green, but there are also purple, red, yellow, and streaked beans.
Description
Beans are several inches long and either round or flattened in shape. For fresh eating, they are picked young and tender before the seeds inside have fully developed.
Additional Info
Most popular varieties have been bred to have stringless pods, but many gardeners prefer the flavor of the old-fashioned "string" types.
Bean plants are annual vegetables that grow quickly and are best planted in spring, as soon as all danger of frost has passed. The flowers appear about two months after planting. Harvest time varies greatly, depending on the type of bean and the desired stage or bean state: snap/green, shelling, or dry. Plant the seeds 1 inch deep and be sure to water the soil immediately after planting and then regularly until they sprout. Don't let the soil dry out.
Watering
Beans need 1 inch of water per week. To determine if the plants need water, stick your index finger about 1 inch into the soil near the base of the plant. If the soil is dry, it's time to water. Plants that are under-watered will stop flowering.
Fertilizing
Because they are legumes, beans fix nitrogen in the soil, so avoid a high-nitrogen fertilizer. Instead, use a 10-20-10 fertilizer to feed the plants throughout the growing season, following the product directions. Pole beans produce over such a long period that they benefit from a feeding or a side dressing of compost about halfway through their growing season.
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