Spring Has Sprung!! And it is a glorious spring for sure. The Blue Bonnets and Indian Paintbrush are rejoicing. My Bachelor Buttons and Poppies are in blossom along with the Iris and lilies. This is why we live here in Central Texas.

So far I have had to hold myself back from going planting crazed. I stick to my calendar and watch the soil. This week end it was Pea Planting time, and a long fence line of Large Gourds. Thanks Rickie Newell. This week will be finishing weeding and preparing the large in ground garden for Beans. Every year I plant and learn about a specific plant. So this year it is Beans.

Beans rich and flavorful are fiber-packed veggies that promote digestive health and are excellent sources of antioxidants that scavenge free radicals in the body. Like little pac-man. They are nitrogen- fixing legumes; beans gather nitrogen from the air and load it into the soil to feed future crops. Bush Bean Culture: Bush beans are one of the most trouble free garden crops and will mature ahead of pole beans. Beans like warn soil and will not germinate if the soil is below 60F. In a well worked bed, plant seeds in rows 18 inches apart. Beans are relatively light feeders. One cup of a complete fertilizer per 10 row feet will provide adequate nutrition.

Excess nitrogen will result in excess foliage and poor pod set. and delay maturity. Use a good compost. Beans are shallow rooted and will require up to 1/4 inch of water a day in the heat. Mulch and use soaker hoses. to help hold moisture at the root.

Disease: Beans are subject to numerous diseases. Avoid wetting the foliage, remove plants at the end of the year, and practice a 4-year crop rotation to prevent any problems.

Insects: Mexican bean beetles and bean weavels can cause significant problems. To treat spray with Pyrethrin.

Harvest: Green beans are ready for harvest about 2 weeks after bloom. Pole Bean Culture: In the early days, pole beans were planted at the base of rough wooden poles where the vines clung to the bark as they twined upward. Today most gardeners grow pole beans on a trellis. There are many ways to make your own trellis. I use a large gauge wire with t posts set both ends and in the middle. I attach with wire or bailer twine to the post sometimes I lean them in a bit from the soil to the post so the plants can get a good start. Sow seeds along bottom of trellis in rows 3 feet apart. Grow and fertilize like bush beans.

So when your are ready to plant your beans have a look at the many varieties. I planted Rattlesnake last year and harvested beans into the early winter. Read the package it will help you in your planting and requirements. You can pick for fresh cooking and let them stay on the vine for dried beans. Many will twist when they are dry so watch to pick before. You want them fully mature to save for seeds. I am going to head to the garden I hope you are too! Growing Green Jannie