Heirloom beans come in many varieties, and some of the tastiest are pole beans, usually grown on trellises or other vertical supports. They come in snap varieties, which have long, rounded pods identical to those on low-growing bush beans, as well as runner beans, which are identified by their flattened pods. Heirloom pole beans are generally cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris, while runner beans are cultivars of Phaseolus coccineus. Both species are native to Mexico, Central America, and South America, though they have been cultivated for so long in the United States that the various heirloom varieties are now closely associated with the regions in which they were developed. Show
There are also entirely different species of Asian climbing beans that are increasingly popular in North American gardens. These often have a unique appearance, but the beans are known to be extremely nutritious. Click Play to Learn How to Grow and Care for Blue Lake Pole BeansGrowing Heirloom Pole BeansMost pole beans require 65–75 days to mature, and they don't grow well outdoors until the soil has warmed up to at least 60 degrees or, preferably, 70 degrees. If you don't have a lengthy growing season in your region—or if you'd prefer to harvest your beans earlier—you can start seeds indoors several weeks before the last frost of late winter or spring. If you choose to plant seeds directly in the outdoor garden, wait until soil temps have reached at least 60 degrees, and then plant the seeds 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart. Thin them to 4 inches apart as they grow. Beans like a fairly decent soil, so offer a little nutritional boost by adding plenty of compost. Water beans lightly until little seedlings show up. Then, keep the soil moist but not saturated until the plants start to flower, at which point you should water more thoroughly and continue to do so until all the beans have been harvested for the season. Most of the beans described here are traditional snap beans but a runner bean and some more exotic Asian beans have been included for good measure. Many of these varieties can also be left to mature on the vine for harvesting as dried beans. Here are 10 great heirloom pole bean varieties for your vegetable garden. TipHeirloom beans are usually "open-pollinated" varieties, which means that seeds saved from the pods will "come true" and produce plants identical to the parents. This is quite unlike hybrid beans, which often produce seeds that revert to parent species and lose whatever advantages the hybrids displayed. If you choose to save seeds from your heirloom pole beans, simply leave some pods to ripen fully on the vine. Then, save the dried beans inside to use as seeds for next year's planting.
What are different types of green beans?Discover Different Types of Green Beans. 01 of 07. Beyond Green Beans. ... . 02 of 07. Green Beans (aka String Beans or Snap Beans) ... . 03 of 07. Haricots Verts (aka French Green Beans or Filet Beans) ... . 04 of 07. Long Beans. ... . 05 of 07. Purple String Beans. ... . 06 of 07. Romano Beans (aka Italian Green Beans or Flat Beans) ... . 07 of 07. Wax Beans.. How many different types of green beans are there?Over 130 varieties (cultivars) of edible pod beans are known. Varieties specialized for use as green beans, selected for the succulence and flavor of their green pods, are the ones usually grown in the home vegetable garden, and many varieties exist. Beans with various pod colors (green, purple, red, or streaked.)
What is the most popular green bean?Perhaps the most famous bean of all in America is the Scarlet Runner Bean. It has been grown in this country since the early 1700s.
What are the best tasting green beans?The pods of 'Kentucky Wonder Bush' are up to 9 inches long; when picked early, they're said to be among the tastiest of all green beans.
|