Plant Gardens 101

For nitrogen fixation, with very few exceptions, beans are best and indeed, all leguminous plants.

Beans, in particular, are compatible with most plants, although the allium family is highly antagonistic. Try it. Plant beans next to garlic – and watch them sulk.

In the legume family, that of broad-beans, or fava-beans, is probably the best nitrogen supplier I have ever seen. There are certain periods throughout the plants growth, where, not only can you SEE the nitrogen nodules, but, they are actually able to be weighed. (more…)

Beans provide a great alternative to meat, since they’re a low-fat source of protein. One cup of lentils provides 17 grams of protein with only 0.75 grams of fat. In fact, the American Cancer Society recommended in their 1996 dietary guidelines that Americans should “choose beans as an alternative to meat.”

Aside from being a great source of protein, beans are a delicious source of fibre, B vitamins, iron, folate, potassium, magnesium, and many phytonutrients, and should be eaten on a regular basis to promote optimal health. It’s recommended that you should eat four 1/2 cup servings of beans per week.

Beans are a superb heart healthy food. Eating beans frequently is associated with lower cholesterol levels. Beans, like all other plant-derived sources of protein, don’t contain any saturated fat, and therefore are also cholesterol free. Thus, if you limit your saturated fat intake by reducing the amount of meat you eat and substitute beans and other plant protein sources for meat in your regular diet, you’ll be well on your way to reducing your blood cholesterol levels and improving your overall health. (more…)

Beans are easy to grow. You can grow beans in your sleep quite literally. You do not have to go through pains to grow beans. They are easy to maintain. In fact, all you have to do is water them and be ready to pick the produce once it is ready. To be able to grow them you have to be dedicated and be ready to do whatever you have to do. If you do not have the aptitude for garden work, then growing of beans; or anything else for that matter is not for you. You are better off keeping a pet. There are four simple steps you need to follow when planting beans. (more…)

As a rule, we choose to grow bush beans rather than pole beans. I cannot make up my mind whether or not this is from sheer laziness. In a city backyard the tall varieties might perhaps be a problem since it would be difficult to get poles. But these running beans can be trained along old fences and with little urging will run up the stalks of the tallest sunflowers. So that settles the pole question. There is an ornamental side to the bean question. Suppose you plant these tall beans at the extreme rear end of each vegetable row. Make arches with supple tree limbs, binding them over to form the arch. Train the beans over these. When one stands facing the garden, what a beautiful terminus these bean arches make.

Beans like rich, warm, sandy soil. In order to assist the soil be sure to dig deeply, and work it over thoroughly for bean culture. It never does to plant beans before the world has warmed up from its spring chills. There is another advantage in early digging of soil. It brings to the surface eggs and larvae of insects. The birds eager for food will even follow the plough to pick from the soil these choice morsels. A little lime worked in with the soil is helpful in the cultivation of beans. (more…)

For those gardeners who have never tried growing beans, you’re missing out on a wonderful vegetable that’s easy to grow and highly productive. Beans come in about as many colors, shapes and sizes as you can imagine, and no matter how big or small your garden is, chances are, there’s a bean that will meet your needs. Even for gardeners who are a little behind on this year’s planting, never fear. Beans can still be planted as late as June for a decent late-summer harvest. With a few easy steps, you’ll be well on your way to growing your best beans ever.

Beans are a member of the legume family, a group of nitrogen fixing plants. This means that beans have the unique ability to pull nitrogen from the air and put it into the soil. For this reason, nitrogen-loving plants like tomatoes will usually thrive in spots where beans resided the year prior. For extra healthy, vigorous beans, dampen the seeds and coat with nitrogen inoculant before planting. Nitrogen inoculant is a black, grainy substance that aids the plants in their early growth stages. It’s very inexpensive and can be found at most specialty gardening stores. If you have leftover nitrogen inoculant at the end of the season, throw it away. You won’t want to use it the next year, because most of the bacteria will have died by then. Nitrogen inoculant is only good for one planting season. (more…)

Gardening in a small space is definitely possible. In fact, a well-planned patio garden allows gardeners to make the most of a small space and still maintain control – unlike those who plant in the ground.

Sun seeking potted plants can be moved accordingly, holes can be added to assist drainage and composts and pesticides can be used directly on the target, without wastage. Plants are also better watered, as the containers and pots contain the water better than open soil.

Some plants take to containers and pots better than others. For example, herbs are excellent container plants, as they generally like drier conditions. Just about any vegetable can be planted in an above-ground container but the most common seem to be tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, beans, and spinach. (more…)