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Beans (Snap and Lima)

Beans are warm-season vegetables, but during excessively hot weather they may drop their blossoms and pods. Since beans are sensitive to frost, they should be planted when all danger of frost is past and when the soil is warm. Seeds of many bean varieties tend to crack and germinate poorly when exposed to very moist conditions. Therefore do not soak bean seed or irrigate immediately after planting.

For a continuous supply of snap beans, make plantings every 10 days until the first part of August.

The bush types of beans, which are most commonly grown, should be planted in rows. Pole varieties, which must be supported by poles or trellises, should be planted in hills 3 feet apart each way.

Red kidney beans, and edible soybeans are grown much like limas and snap beans.

To control bean diseases, do not handle or work among bean plants when the foliage is wet from dew or rain.

The Mexican bean beetle, the bean leaf beetle, and the potato leafhopper should be controlled.

Harvest snap beans when the pods are young and succulent and before the seeds are mature. Lima beans harvested for green limas should be picked when the seeds are nearly full size but before they turn white. For dry beans, let the pods mature on the plants, but harvest them before the pods get so dry that they shatter.