Green beans are one of the most popular vegetables grown in home gardens. Their sweet, crisp flavor makes them a tasty addition to many meals. But contrary to what their name implies, green beans do not actually grow on trees!
So where do green beans come from? Let’s take a look at the two main types of green beans and how they grow
Bush Beans
The most common type of green beans are bush beans. As the name suggests, bush beans grow on compact, low bushes about 1-2 feet tall.
Bush beans spread along the ground rather than climbing upwards. They form pods along their stems rather than at the end of vines. There are both pole beans and runner beans that do grow vertically on vines. But standard bush green beans grow as short, bushy plants.
Popular varieties of bush beans include:
- Blue Lake
- Contender
- Provider
- Snap
- Wax beans
Bush beans are easy to grow in small spaces like gardens and containers. You can plant seeds 1-2 inches deep and 2-4 inches apart in rows or grids Bush beans reach maturity quickly in 45-60 days
Pole Beans
Pole beans grow on climbing vines that can reach up to 10 feet tall! Popular pole bean varieties include:
- Kentucky Blue
- Purple Pod
- Chinese Red Noodle
- Yard Long
Pole beans require a trellis or pole structure to support their vines The vines grasp ontovertical supports with their curling tendrils as they grow upwards Pole beans take longer to mature at around 60-90 days but produce for a longer duration than bush types.
Growing Conditions for Green Beans
Green beans grow best with:
- Full sun exposure
- Fertile, well-draining soil
- Consistent moisture
- Warm weather between 65-85°F
Beans can withstand some frost but optimal germination occurs in warm soil. Ensure the danger of frost has passed before sowing seeds. Both bush and pole beans are warm season crops.
Green beans require slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0-6.5. They benefit from compost or fertilizer mixed into soil before planting. Add calcium, phosphorus, and potassium for strong root development.
Water beans regularly to keep soil consistently moist. Inconsistent watering can cause tougher, stringier beans. Mulch around plants to retain moisture.
Health Benefits of Green Beans
Both bush and pole beans produce the same delicious, crunchy green pods. Green beans provide:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Fiber
- Iron
- Potassium
Beans contain antioxidants and phytonutrients that may help lower inflammation. The fiber content aids digestion andhelps regulate blood sugar.
How to Harvest Green Beans
Pick green beans when pods are tender and snap easily. Beans are ready for harvest within 50-60 days of sowing seeds.
Use scissors orfingers to snap off pods at their stem. Avoid pulling as it could uproot plants. Pick beans every few days to encourage more pod production.
Stop harvesting once plants stop flowering and pods mature. Remove spent plants once harvest is complete.
So while their name is deceiving, green beans do not actually grow on trees! Both bush and pole bean varieties produce crunchy pods on vines growing low or climbing high. With proper care, it’s easy to grow bountiful green bean crops in your own yard.
Common Trees That Produce Bean Pods
While green beans come from shrubs, there are several tree species that produce bean-like seed pods:
Catalpa
Catalpa trees produce dangling, bean-like pods up to 18 inches long. Their early nicknames included “cigar tree” and “Indian bean tree.” Catalpas thrive in zones 4-9 and produce showy spring blooms.
Black Locust
Black locust is a fast-growing tree with clusters of flattened, pea-like seed pods. Young trees have pairs of thorns along the stems. Locusts fix nitrogen and prefer full sun.
Honey Locust
Honey locust trees have long twisted, leathery pods that can reach over a foot long. They contain sweet pulp and grow in zones 3-9. Avoid the spined varieties and go for the thornless cultivars.
Kentucky Coffeetree
Despite its name, the Kentucky coffeetree does not produce beans or have caffeine. But it has thick reddish-brown seed pods that contain bean-like seeds. It tolerates urban conditions.
Goldenchain Tree
The goldenchain tree produces vibrant yellow flowers followed by slender, flattened pods up to 8 inches long. It thrives in zones 5-9.
So while no trees produce the exact green bean vegetable we love, several species do grow decorative, bean-like pods. Just don’t try eating them!
Other Fun Facts About Green Beans:
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There are over 130 varieties of green beans. Popular ones include string beans, snap beans, and French filet beans.
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Beans come in many colors including green, purple, yellow, streaked, and mottled. But “green” beans are picked young before seeds develop and pods change color.
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The world’s longest bean was 65 ft long, grown in Switzerland in 1991.
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In some places, green beans are called string beans or snap beans based on whether they have tough strings needing removal. Modern breeds are stringless.
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Pole bean vines can grow up to 10 feet tall while bush beans may only reach 2 feet in height.
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Beans belong to the Fabaceae family along with peas, lentils, peanuts, and soybeans.
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Ancient people in Peru were cultivating beans as early as 7000 BC. They spread to Europe in the 1500s.
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Bean plants do best when grown in crop rotations every few years rather than the same soil consecutively.
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Green beans have cross-pollinated with other bean varieties, creating hundreds of hybrids over time.
So while green beans don’t actually grow on trees, they remain a versatile, healthy, and delicious crop for gardens worldwide!
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Green Beans Fun Facts
- After tomatoes and peppers, green beans are the third most popular vegetable grown by home gardeners.
- There are about 130 different kinds of beans. Some are purple, some are yellow, some are red, and some have spots.
- Wisconsin grows more than one-third of all the green beans grown in the US, making it the state with the most green beans. It’s not just about cheese in Wisconsin! .
- Beans likes podcasts and Pirates of the Caribbean is their favorite movie.
- It’s clear that beans are important to us because we use the word “bean” so often! Bean is also a common nickname for people. Do you wear a beanie in the winter? There are also sayings like “Don’t spill the beans!” or “Skinny as a string-bean!” and our favorite, “Cool beans!” which was first used by Cheech Marin.
- You may not know that David “Stringbean” Akemon was a famous musician who went by the name. He played the banjo at the Grand Ole Opry and was a main character on the TV show HeeHaw.
Easy Cultivation Tips for Growing Beans (Bush & Pole)
Beans are incredibly easy to grow, making them a favorite choice for new gardeners and even children. These annual plants grow rapidly, and the ideal time to plant them is in the spring. To thrive, beans prefer well-drained, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH ranging from 6. 0 to 7. 0. Additionally, they require a sunny location, basking in 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
One great thing about beans is that they can naturally fix nitrogen in the soil. If the soil is good, this means that you don’t need to use fertilizers.
As mentioned above, there are two main categories of beans. Pole beans are the tallest, reaching heights of 2′-15′, and they require trellising or staking for support. On the other hand, bush beans are more compact, growing to about 2′-3′ wide, and need less maintenance. Bush beans typically produce a full harvest within 50-55 days, so staggering plantings can ensure a continuous harvest. Pole beans, on the other hand, produce more over a longer period of time because the vines need time to grow. Generally, the first harvest of pole beans is ready in 55-65 days.
For successful growth, it’s best to directly sow bean seeds, as their delicate roots don’t tolerate transplanting well. Plant the seeds 1 inch deep, and if you’re growing pole beans, you might want to put them near a trellis. To keep the soil moist, especially when planting beans outside, give them about an inch of rain per week and cover them with mulch. Their shallow roots will benefit from keeping the soil moist.
As pole beans grow, once they reach the top of the trellis, pinch off the tops. This encourages the plant to focus its energy on producing pods, leading to a bountiful harvest.
Grow Beans on your Trees!
FAQ
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