Beans

We plant both bush and pole beans in our gardens, depending on site needs.  Some of our beans are a beautiful purple, while others are truly “green beans.”

Good Companions
Bad Companions
Fauna attracted to Beans
Diseases common with Beans
Plant Origin
North and South America, Asia, Europe. Important plant for Hopi people.
Nutrition
Vitamins: C, B Minerals: manganese, copper Other: fiber
Family
Legume Family
Sun
Full sun
Soil
Rich, well-drained, loose soil
Water
Spray or drip, evenly moist but not wet
Spacing
2 seeds every 4-6"
Depth
1" deep
Notes
Thin when 1" tall, every 4-6"
When to harvest
Harvest as ready for more crop, then stop 1 week before first student harvest. Ready when beans are 4-7" long. (Purple beans will have turned color.) Not frost hearty.
Harvesting Tips
See "when" notes. Best when beans are not so big as to show through pods. (Ok for shell beans.)