Phaseolus vulgaris

Rich and flavorful beans are fiber-packed veggies that promote digestive health and are excellent sources of antioxidants that scavenge free radicals in the body. They are also nitrogen-fixing legumes; beans gather nitrogen from the air and load it into the soil to feed future crops.

Days to maturity are calculated from date of direct seeding. 

Culture

• Beans are shallow rooted and can require up to 1/4 inch of water a day during hot weather
• Optimum soil pH is 5.5-6.5, mildly acidic
• Apply 1 cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer per 10 row feet, and 1 inch of compost

Direct Sowing

• One ounce of seed plants 12-15 row feet, 1/2 pound for 100 row feet
• Grow Pole, Runner, and Yard Long beans on trellises

Insects & Diseases

• Common insects: Mexican bean beetles, bean weevils, cucumber beetles, spider mites
• Insect control: Pyrethrin
• Common diseases: See chart below
• Disease prevention: Avoid wetting the foliage, remove plants at the end of the year, 3-4 year crop rotation

Harvest & Storage

• Ready for harvest about 2 weeks after bloom
• Pick when pods are nearly full size and seeds are still small
• Harvest every 3-5 days to increase yields
• Store at 40-45°F and 95% relative humidity

Phaseolus vulgaris Rich and flavorful beans are fiber-packed veggies that promote digestive health and are excellent sources of antioxidants that scavenge free radicals in the body. They are also nitrogen-fixing legumes; beans gather nitrogen from the air and load it into the soil to feed future crops.

Days to maturity are calculated from date of direct seeding. 

Culture
• Beans are shallow rooted and can require up to 1/4 inch of water a day during hot weather 
• Optimum soil pH is 5.5-6.5, mildly acidic
• Apply 1 cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer per 10 row feet, and 1 inch of compost

Direct Sowing
• One ounce of seed sows 10-20 row feet 
• Grow Pole, Runner, and Yard Long beans on trellises

Insects & Diseases
• Common insects: Mexican bean beetles and bean weevils
• Insect control: Pyrethrin
• Common diseases: See chart below
• Disease prevention: Avoid wetting the foliage, remove plants at the end of the year, 3-4 year crop rotation

Harvest & Storage
• Days to maturity are for the fresh shell stage
• Shelling beans: Pick when fully formed but still soft and green
• Dry beans: Harvest mature beans before pods begin to shatter in the field
• If weather prevents field drying, pull plants and dry inside on a tarp, turning pile daily for even drying
• To thresh dry beans: When material is brittle dry, place material in bag and swing against a hard surface, or beat with a stick or rake on a tarp
• Make sure beans are fully dry, then store in a cool place
• Bean weevils may be eliminated by freezing the seed near 0°F for 2 weeks

Glycine max Soybeans have been a staple of the Asian diet since the 11th Century B.C. Edamame soybeans are much sweeter and more digestible than other soybeans. The isoflavones in soybeans have been shown to alleviate diabetes, reduce osteoporosis, and increase bone density. These compounds also help to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol while raising levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. Try them boiled and seasoned with a touch of sea salt for a delicious, satisfying snack.

Days to maturity are calculated from date of direct seeding. 

Culture
• Beans are shallow rooted and can require up to 1/4 inch of water a day during hot weather 
• Optimum soil pH is 5.5-6.5, mildly acidic
• Apply 1 cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer per 10 row feet, and 1 inch of compost

Direct Sowing
• One ounce of seed plants 12-15 row feet, 1/2 pound for 100 row feet
• Grow Pole, Runner, and Yard Long beans on trellises

Insects & Diseases
• Common insects: Mexican bean beetles, bean weevils, cucumber beetles, spider mites
• Insect control: Pyrethrin
• Common diseases: See chart below
• Disease prevention: Avoid wetting the foliage, remove plants at the end of the year, 3-4 year crop rotation

Harvest & Storage
• Harvesting period is short, check often for mature pods
• Harvest when pods are plump and beans are almost touching each other in pod
• Once pods turn yellow, beans become starchy and lose their sweet, nutty flavor

Vicia faba

Days to maturity are calculated from date of direct seeding. 

Culture
• Fava beans prefer cool weather; sow as soon as soil can be worked in the spring
• Can be fall sown in zones 6 and above
• Beans are shallow rooted and can require up to 1/4 inch of water a day during hot weather
• Apply 1 cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer per 10 row feet, and 1 inch of compost

Direct Sowing
• One ounce of seed plants 4-10 row feet
• Sow September—October for an overwinter crop
• When sown in the fall and overwintered, fava beans mature in mid to late May

Insects & Diseases
• Common insects: Aphids
• Insect control: Pyrethrin

Harvest & Storage
• Shelling beans: Pick when fully formed but still soft and green
• Dry beans: Harvest mature beans before pods begin to shatter in the field
• If weather prevents field drying, pull plants and dry inside on a tarp, turning pile daily for even drying
• To thresh dry beans: When material is brittle dry, place material in bag and swing against a hard surface, or beat with a stick or rake on a tarp
• Make sure beans are fully dry, then store in a cool place
• Bean weevils may be eliminated by freezing the seed near 0°F for 2 weeks