Posts Tagged ‘growing green beans’
Growing Green Beans
Green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are grown for their immature tender green pods. They are also known as snap beans because you “snap” off the ends of the pods when preparing them for storage or cooking. Green beans were once known as string beans because of the long fiber that ran down the side of the pod, which was also removed before cooking. Luckily, newer varieties are stringless, which makes snapping and preparation a breeze. Tender green beans are delicious in casseroles, steamed or eaten fresh off the vine. They were once only grown on long vines, but bush varieties are now available that produce beans on low-growing plants. A few of the most reliable bush varieties for home gardeners are Blue Lake 274, Topcrop and Bush Kentucky Wonder. Try the pole bean varieties known as Blue Lake or Kentucky Wonder if you have a large trellis. Some experts say the harvest window for pole beans is longer than the bush varieties, but experienced gardeners will tell you differently.
