Beans go boom

I've always liked growing beans.

They aren't bothered by much in the way of pests, they're good for the soil (they fix it with nitrogen), they produce a sometimes overwhelming reliable crop and they cover a structure like it's nobody's business.

And a covered structure in a garden can be a really good thing if you don't have a lot of growing space, want to grow both cooler weather and warmer weather crops and tend to have crops that overlap seasons.

Pole beans are perfect for all of these scenarios.

We really like Fortex pole beans because they're a thinner filet bean that tends to get longer rather than fatter if left on the poles a little too long. And, let's be clear, these things grow and produce fast, so plan to be out picking them every day or be prepared to find some big boys dangling off of those vines.

But since they grow fast and have a pretty long garden life (planted in mid-spring, they'll grow until fall), they can be put in once the days start to warm up a bit and the shade from their scary fast growing vines can protect those early spring crops that don't so much love the warming temperatures.

Like, say, lettuce for instance.

Pole bean seeds are also really easy to save for following seasons. Just leave them on the vines until they're dry and the seeds are rattling around in the pods like weird shaped maracas and then shuck the pods and save the beans in a breathable container (a paper bag or envelope works pretty well) for a few months until no moisture remains. After that they can be stored in a jar or plastic bag without worrying about any moisture fouling up the works.

In the spring time, like right about now, put a few between two sheets of a moistened paper towel on a plate in your kitchen for a few days and, while keeping that paper towel wet, watch for them to sprout.

I think this is where the idea for a mace came from.

 

Once they've sprouted, toss any that didn't sprout and then head out to your garden fence, trellis or tepee to get them planted.

Poke a hole in your loamy garden soil about two knuckles deep and drop the sprouted seed into the hole, root down.

Cover with soil, water thoroughly and then wait for the seedling to emerge.

After that, well, ready your harvest baskets because...

Beans go BOOM