By Mary Ann Steele, Somervell County Master Gardener
String beans, snap beans, bush beans or green beans, Phaseolus vulgaris. No matter what they are called, beans deserve a place in every garden. They are a summertime treat and their fresh-from-the-garden flavor is hard to beat.
Given the right growing conditions, green beans are an excellent warm season crop, as long as one as one remembers they like warm but not blazing Texas heat.
Soil temperature in spring is very important to success. Plant too early and the seeds will just sit there. Plant too late and they will sprout and grow, only to fry in the summer heat. Ideally, about two weeks after the last freeze is good for planting. The soil temperature should be between 60 and 65 degrees, warmer is better.
Beans do not require much soil preparation nor require heavy fertilization. If you are not sure how fertile your soil is, you can add a low nitrogen organic fertilizer like 6-2-2 or 9-4-2 at the rate of
1/2 to 1 pound per 25 feet of row. Beans just need a little to get started and then they will take care of the rest.
Plant your seeds in moist soil about 1β deep and 2-4β apart. Be sure to keep the soil moist. If the soil dries out, a crust may form and the seeds will not break through or may be injured as they emerge. A week or so after the beans are up, thin to 4β apart.
Bean seeds are not expensive, so try something new along with one or two of the tried and true varieties. If space permits, consider making two or three successive plantings about a week apart. This will extend the harvest time over a longer period of time.
Green beans are a good source of calcium and potassium and a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C. Just one cup of beans will give you about 3 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein.