Bush Beans: Growing Common Bean Varieties

There are more than 25 varieties of beans known. All types of beans (lat. Phaseolus), with the exception of broad beans, known to the ancient Romans, originate from the tropical and subtropical zones of the New World. Since their introduction to Europe at the end of the 16th century, numerous varieties have been developed through breeding, which differ significantly. Bush beans produce pods on plants without tendrils. While in the past, the focus was on dry seeds, rich in carbohydrates and proteins, suitable for cooking and storage, today consumers are more interested in the quality of fleshy immature pods. Due to the content of health-harmful phaseolin, bean pods must not be consumed raw. Phaseolin breaks down during cooking. Through crossbreeding, bean varieties without phaseolin may perhaps solve this problem in the future.

Soil and Sowing Beans

Bush beans thrive in all humus-rich garden soils that are airy and do not suffer from waterlogging. Beans are heat-loving and only germinate at a minimum temperature of 8°C. The optimal temperature is 25°C. Wet and cold weather, moisture and too deep sowing, as well as premature timing, are often causes of failure. Varieties with black or brown seeds often germinate better than white ones. We sow after May 15th and no later than June 20th as a successive crop, which usually brings a good harvest. Growing bush beans is not complicated, so give it a try too!

Fertilizing Beans

Because beans belong to leguminous plants, which are able to fix nitrogen from the air, the nitrogen requirement is particularly low. Good supply of other nutrients and water immediately before and during flowering is important. In addition to compost, we add combined fertilizer. Water beans abundantly, hill them up, and hoe frequently.