The green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is an annual plant of the family Fabaceae very easy to grow and produces abundantly. The ideal is therefore tostagger the sowing to take advantage of staggered harvests. Review of details on the cultivation of green beans, a star of the vegetable garden without special requirements.
Sow green beans
To sow this chillyit is necessary to wait until the risks of frost are no longer to be feared and until the earth has been sufficiently warmed by the spring sun so that it reaches a temperature of 10 to 12°C. Gardeners accustomed to growing green beans agree that the signal is given when the hawthorn blooms. In any case, you should know that the sowing period is between May and Augustthe germination of the seeds starting only if the mercury marks at least 16°C.
cold stratification
To speed up the emergence of green beans, there is a trick. It consists of leaving the seeds in the refrigerator for two to three months before sowing time. After this time, cold seeds must be planted in warm soil immediately. In this way, in a short week the young plants come out of the ground whereas in normal times, they need a fortnight.
Used for many plant species, this procedure is called cold lamination. It allows seeds to be immersed in a state of dormancy for a period equivalent to a season, and this process ultimately only artificially reproduces winter conditions. It is then heat, humidity and light that trigger germination. Some varieties are satisfied with a cold stratification of only two weeks.
Many gardeners simply put their bean seeds in the fridge for 15-21 days and then sow them right away.
Sow in the ground
For some semis in poquetshollows are dug in the ground, 3 cm deep, and about 6 seeds which is then covered with a very thin layer of good soil. Care is taken to separate the pockets about thirty centimeters from each other.
The semi-line first requires the use of a towel (sometimes called the rayblack) to perform furrow tracing. We sow there one seed every 5 or 6 cm then cover with a layer of soil. We must have a very light hand because the seeds of green beans should not be buried much.
As soon as the seedlings have formed two leavesit’s necessary butter green beans. This consists of bringing soil to the base of each plant.
Growing Green Beans
The green bean likes a well-drained soil most costs et furniture. He can, however, content himself with a good garden soil, i.e. topsoil. It likes sunny exposures because it is sensitive to cold.
It should be noted that fertilization is unnecessary for this vegetable. No need to add fertilizer during cultivation.
If you are in a hurry, or just don’t want to take care of the seedlings, you can buy green bean plants in the garden centre. Sold in bucketsthey are ready to be transplanted, but you should not wait to put them in the ground.
Better do not sow all of your seeds on the same day but rather space out the sowing over time and plant only a small quantity of seeds at a time. This avoids all the beans having to be harvested at the same time. If you want to taste fresh green beans throughout the summer, the sowing shift is really essential.
Caring for Green Beans
No need to have extensive experience in this field to bean growing success. It is also a real pleasure for beginner gardeners who can produce their own green beans without complicating their lives.
Tutors
Staking is necessary only for varieties of green beans with a climbing habit, pole beans, which can reach 5 meters in height. Makeshift stakes are quite suitable, such as a few straight bamboo branches, for example, or even hazel. Care should be taken to install stakes before sowing.
Water
No need to spend your life with a hose or watering can in hand because the green bean is content with fresh soil. He has not no need for a lot of water. However, in summer, when the temperatures are quite high, it is necessary to water enough but without drowning the plants and taking care of do not wet the leaves. Watering from the neck is perfect for depositing water only at the foot of the plants.
Pests and diseases
In the vegetable gardens of amateur gardeners, green beans are not subject to the onslaught ofno pest in particular and is not susceptible to any disease because it is not cultivated intensively. The problem is different in green bean plantations as far as the eye can see where seedcorn maggot can wreak havoc just like certain cryptogamic diseases.
Rotation des cultures
It is best not to grow green beans every year in the same place. The ideal is to let pass at least two years during which it is possible to plant leeks, garlic, spring onions, onions, then the following year spinach, various varieties of salads and other leafy vegetables.
Harvest green beans
Green beans provide very good yields. But they should be harvested as soon as they are good to eat. Some don’t wait, having to be picked every other day, as is the case with string beans. The slightest delay is without appeal: they take the thread! As for stringless string beans and snap beans, picking every 5 days is quite sufficient.
The ideal way to taste tasty and tender products is to consume them as the harvest progresses because they only keep for a very short time in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator, three days at most. If the harvests are more abundant than the needs of the family, then it is necessary to consider canned green beans. Their bottling requires sterilization for 90 minutes. You can also freeze raw green beans, which is surprisingly simple.