Green Beans?

[toughguy]

What varieties work well in the metro area? I have never planted green beans and want to this year. Do the pole kind or the bush kind work best here? From what I've read they are pretty easy so I plan to grow a ton of them. Not doing cukes or peppers this year to make room. (I don't like them so I always give them away anyways)

[Nainoa]

You should be able to grow either... My mother prefer's pole beans.

Just remember that they like acidic soil (like tomatoes) and not Alkaline soil (Like raddishes and beets.)

then just like peas, when you pick them they should be Consumed ASAP as their sugars instantly start converting to starch at picking.

[BobT]

Quote:

I plan to grow a ton of them

Be careful what you wish for. Green beans are high producers. The more you pick them, the more they produce. I plant one 15 foot row of bush beans and I blanch and freeze at least 20 meals plus what we use fresh.

Another tip, pick them young for best eating. I pick them when they are about 3 inches long and still thin. For some variety try a few yellow beans too.

Edit: Another thought. Too often we think we have to cook everything. Try them raw right from the garden for a real treat. My kids prefer them raw over cooked any day and they are much better for you that way too.

[Nainoa]

Oh yeah... Same with like a mamoth melting snap pea... You can plant them not long after you can till the soil. 24 hours later it will have converted half of it's magical sugars into flavorless starch. But you can go snack in the garden on them for a treat that is hard to find anywhere else.

[toughguy]

Thanks for all the great info. I can't wait to get started again this year.

Anyone have any favorite kinds that they plant every year. There are so many seeds to choose from.

[Nainoa]

I tend to do a lot of Heirloom tomatoes and gourmet peppers... Simply because I can't get those at the grocery store, or I have to pay a boat load for them at a Farmers market.

This year I'm breaking into Berries, Horseradish and Ground cherries.

[zzammon]

I prefer growing pole beans. They grow up on a trellis, so they take up less ground space. Two packets of seeds produces more beans than my family can eat, raw and frozen.

[pushbutton]

Anyone have any favorite kinds that they plant every year. There are so many seeds to choose from.

maxibell and tavera for bush beans

fortex for pole beans

both can be ordered at johnny's