Beans Galore: A How to Guide on Growing Beans from Seed

Sep 28, 2024

Beans Galore: A How to Guide on Growing Beans from Seed

Growing beans from seed is a rewarding endeavor that offers both novice and seasoned gardeners a chance to enjoy fresh, home-grown produce with relatively little effort. Beans are versatile, coming in numerous varieties that can climb or bush, providing options for every garden size and style. From the snap beans perfect for summer salads to the rich, hearty dry beans for winter stews, starting them from seed allows for a full cycle of growth that not only enhances your garden's productivity but also enriches the soil with nitrogen, thanks to their unique ability to fix nitrogen from the air. Whether you're planting for culinary delight or garden health, beans are an essential crop, promising a bountiful harvest from just a handful of seeds.

A Little History on Beans

The history of bean cultivation is deeply rooted in human civilization, tracing back to ancient times where beans were among the first crops to be domesticated. Evidence suggests that beans were cultivated in Mesoamerica and the Andean region of South America thousands of years ago. For instance, the oldest-known domesticated beans in the Americas were found in Guitarrero Cave in Peru, dating back to around the second millennium BCE. These early cultivators recognized the value of beans not just as a food source but also for their ability to fix nitrogen, thereby enriching the soil for other crops, which was crucial in ancient agricultural practices.

In Mesoamerica, beans, along with maize and squash, formed what is known today as the "Three Sisters," a sophisticated companion planting technique that provided mutual agricultural benefits. This triad was central to the diet and agricultural practice of many indigenous cultures, including the Maya and Aztec civilizations, who utilized beans for both culinary and ceremonial purposes. The Three Sisters method exemplifies early sustainable farming practices, where beans added essential nitrogen to the soil, maize provided a stalk for the beans to climb, and squash offered ground cover to reduce weeds and retain moisture.

With the Columbian Exchange, beans spread across the globe, leading to their integration into various world cuisines and agricultural systems. Europeans initially confused beans with previously known legumes, but soon, beans from the New World like Phaseolus vulgaris (the common bean) became staple crops in Europe, Africa, and Asia due to their adaptability and nutritional value. This global dissemination transformed diets, introducing high-protein, nutrient-rich food sources to regions where they were previously unknown, thereby influencing local agriculture and culinary traditions significantly.

Throughout history, beans have not only been a staple food but also carried cultural significance. For example, in various African and Native American cultures, beans have been used in rituals and as symbols in folklore and mythology. The cultivation of beans also played a role in economic systems; for instance, cacao beans were so valued in Mesoamerica that they were used as currency. Today, heirloom varieties of beans are celebrated for preserving genetic diversity and cultural heritage, showcasing a continuous thread from ancient agriculture to modern gardens, where the humble bean remains a symbol of sustenance, culture, and history.

Varieties... There's A LOT!

Bush Beans (Determinate)

Green Beans (Snap Beans)

'Blue Lake'
'Provider'
'Contender'
'Bush Romano'

Yellow Wax Beans

'Golden Wax'
'Brittle Wax'

Purple Beans

'Royal Burgundy'
'Purple Queen'

Filet Beans (Haricots Verts)

'Maxibel'
'Velour'

Shell Beans (for fresh eating or drying)

'Cannellini'
'Black Turtle'
'Great Northern'

Lima Beans (Butter Beans)

'Fordhook 242'
'Henderson Bush'

Pole Beans (Indeterminate)

Green Beans

'Kentucky Wonder'
'Blue Lake Pole'
'Fortex'

Runner Beans

'Scarlet Runner'
'White Emergo'

Yardlong Beans (Asparagus Beans)

'Red Noodle'
'Chinese Green Noodle'

Shelling Beans

'Pole Cannellini'
'Christmas Lima'

Hyacinth Bean (Lablab)

Often grown for ornamental purposes but also edible.

Specialty and Heirloom Beans

Fava Beans (Broad Beans)

These can be bush or tall varieties but are distinct enough to mention separately.

Adzuki Beans

Small, red beans often used in Asian cuisine.

Mung Beans

Known for sprouting, but also used in various dishes.

Soybeans (Edamame when fresh)

'Envy'
'Butterbean'

Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas)

Usually grown as a bush type.

Cowpeas (Black-eyed Peas)

'California Blackeye'
'Pink Eye Purple Hull'

Preparing for Planting

Timing: Beans are warm-season crops. Plant them after the last frost date when soil temperatures reach at least 60°F (15°C) for optimal germination.
Soil Preparation: Beans prefer well-drained, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Work in compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil, as beans are not heavy feeders but benefit from fertile conditions.
Location: Choose a sunny spot; beans need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.

Planting Beans

Starting Seeds: Beans do not transplant well, so direct sowing is preferred. However, if starting indoors, do so just a couple of weeks before planting out, using biodegradable CowPots to minimize root disturbance.
Sowing: Plant seeds 1-2 inches deep (refer to your seed packet for best recommended sowing depth.) For bush beans, space seeds 2-4 inches apart in rows spaced 18-24 inches apart. For pole beans, plant in hills (small mounds) or rows, spacing seeds 4-6 inches apart with supports in place or ready to be installed as they grow. (But again, check your seed packet for best practices on spacing as well.)
Watering: After planting, water gently to avoid washing away seeds. Keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge, which typically takes 8-10 days.

Care and Maintenance

Watering: Once established, beans require about an inch of water per week. Deep watering encourages deep root growth, making plants more resilient. Avoid wetting foliage to prevent diseases.
Mulching: Apply mulch around plants to retain moisture, control weeds, and keep soil temperatures consistent.
Support: For pole beans, provide a trellis, stakes, or a bean tower. Ensure supports are sturdy as beans can get quite heavy with growth and pods.
Fertilization: Beans can often grow without additional fertilizer due to their nitrogen-fixing properties. However, if growth seems slow, a light application of a balanced fertilizer might help.
Pest and Disease Management: Watch for pests like aphids, bean beetles, and slugs. Diseases like powdery mildew or bacterial blight can be managed through good air circulation, avoiding overhead watering, and selecting disease-resistant varieties.
Harvesting: For snap beans, pick when pods are still young and tender, typically at 2-3 inches long for filet beans to 4-6 inches for regular types. For dry beans, allow pods to mature on the plant until they're dry and rattle when shaken.
Continuous Harvest: For bush beans, plant every couple of weeks for a continuous harvest. Pole beans will continue producing if regularly picked.

Harvesting and Storing

Snap Beans: Harvesting regularly encourages more production. Use scissors or snap off pods to avoid damaging the plant.
Dry Beans: Once pods are fully dried, harvest them, shell the beans, and let them dry further in a well-ventilated area before storing in airtight containers.
End of Season: At season's end, consider leaving some plants to decompose in the soil to return nitrogen to the ground or till them in as green manure.

Conclusion

Growing beans from seed is an exercise in patience and observation, rewarded by the abundance of fresh produce. With minimal care, beans can thrive, offering not just a crop but also an opportunity to enhance your garden's soil health. Whether you're aiming for the fresh crunch of a snap bean or the hearty protein of a dried navy bean, the journey from seed to harvest is both straightforward and deeply satisfying.