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Green beans are one of the oldest vegetable crops in the world. In Europe they heard about it in the 16th century, but at first it grew only in the courtyards of nobles as flowers for a flower bed. The first to try the pods in cooking were inventive Italians, who still cook many dishes based on asparagus beans. At the same time, it was considered a delicacy, and poor people could only afford ordinary shelling beans.
Today, asparagus beans are popular all over the world and are considered a healthy dietary product. This vegetable crop is worthy of our attention, as well as a place in gardens and tables. The main advantage is that it is not whimsical at all, and most varieties can be grown even in cold climates, as, for example, in Siberia, and even more so in the middle lane, Moscow region and southern regions.
Many varieties of beans have been bred specifically for growing in cold summer conditions. But in general, beans are able to withstand both drought and cold without harming the future harvest. For those who cannot decide which variety should be chosen for growing on their site, it will be useful to find out the characteristics of the best varieties of asparagus beans. And those who have not yet grown this crop will be able to see that it is not difficult at all.
Classification of varieties
Breeders managed to breed a huge number of beans varieties. All of them are divided into specific groups according to their characteristic features.
By the appearance of ripe fruits, there are 3 groups:
- sugar beans... Grown to produce young pods without parchment;
- universal beans... Has a denser texture and can be eaten both as pods and fully ripe seeds;
- peeling or grain beans... Grown for harvesting seeds only.
In this classification, green beans belong to the first and second types. In turn, it is divided into groups according to the size and shape of the pods:
- common beans... It is considered the most common in Russia and European countries, the pods grow up to 20 cm, and can hold up to 10 seeds;
- vigna... These include ancient Asian varieties, the pods of which can reach 1 m in length and contain up to 100 seeds.
Also, there are species that are distinguished by the shape of the bush:
- Curly beans... The stems can grow up to 5 m in length. Such varieties need support, ripen later, but the harvest is more abundant. Can be used as a decorative garden decoration.
- Bush beans... The bush is low (up to 50 cm in height), often spreading. Unpretentious to weather conditions, ripens quickly.
Green beans come in a variety of colors, depending on the variety. The most popular are the yellow and green varieties. But there can be more poisonous shades, for example, dark purple and pink.
Growing features
The disembarkation time depends on the weather conditions in your area. In southern cities, sowing can begin as early as early May. In other regions, one should rely on the complete end of frost. The soil should warm up well (mid-May - early June). Only then can you begin planting in open ground. Beans grow well and develop at temperatures of +15 ° C and above.
Soil preparation begins in the fall.It needs to be dug up and fed with mineral or organic fertilizers. In the spring, you can additionally add wood ash to each hole. The seeds are planted to a depth of about 5 cm. 10-20 cm are left between the plants, and 30-50 cm between the rows. Too dense planting will interfere with proper plant care and fruit development. To be sure that the seeds will not freeze, it would be nice to cover the area with a film that will help retain heat and moisture longer.
In colder regions, it will be better to plant beans with seedlings. While it is still cold outside, the sprouts will have time to get stronger, and as soon as the frost subsides, they can already be planted in the garden. If the summer in your area is warm, dry or sprouted seeds are used for sowing.
The soil must be kept moist throughout the growth of the plant. And after the beginning of flowering, soil fertilization is carried out. But this is not necessary, since beans are an unpretentious plant and tend to fertilize the soil with nitrogen itself.
Harvesting
Bushy asparagus beans ripen slightly faster than curly beans. In any case, care must be taken to collect the pods in time, before they harden. It should be noted right away that this will have to be done often, since the pods do not ripen at the same time.
All-purpose beans can be harvested at various stages of development. And even if you forgot to pick the pods in time, you can not be afraid, in a fully ripe form, it is no less tasty. Such seeds are also left for planting next year. They keep dry well, unlike young pods. Asparagus beans are great for freezing and preserving.
Green Bean Varieties
Consider the most popular varieties that have performed well according to gardeners' estimates.
"Oil King"
Shrub bean variety, compact. Ripening time - early, from germination to technical maturity takes about 50 days. Pods are yellow, no parchment layer. The yield is high. The length of the beans is up to 25 cm. The taste of the fruit is tender and soft. Has a high disease resistance to fungi and viruses.
"Saksa 615"
Belongs to bush varieties, plant height reaches 40 cm. Fully ripens in 50 days. The pods are even, up to 12 cm long, light green in color. Has high taste, contains a large amount of vitamins. Despite the size of the bush, it has a high yield. There is no parchment layer and no fiber, which provides a sweet and delicate taste.
"Purple Queen"
A shrub plant with medium ripening times. It stands out from other varieties with its dark purple color. The height of the bush can be up to 60 cm. It has a high yield and excellent taste of the fruit. The pods grow up to 20 cm in length. Recommended for conservation. Differs in high disease resistance. When heat treated, the color turns dark green.
"Sweet courage"
Shrub variety, compact plant (up to 40 cm in height). Ripening speed - early maturing. From the beginning of seed germination to the maturation of the first harvest, it will take only 40–55 days. The pods are slightly curved, cylindrical in shape. Fruit color is deep yellow. Beans can grow up to 16 cm. Differs in amicable ripening of pods.
"Golden nectar"
Refers to curly varieties. The fruit ripening process takes about 70 days. The pods are yellow. The shape of the beans is cylindrical, narrow, they grow up to 25 cm in length. Due to the severity of the fruit, it needs support. Suitable for preserving and preparing various dishes. Suitable for decorative purposes. Long, curved pods look very impressive.
"Winner"
Curly variety of asparagus beans, late ripening. Ripe fruits will have to wait up to 90 days. When planting, you should leave at least 30 cm between the bushes, since the bush is very sprawling.It is also often grown for decorative purposes. The flowers are large, deep red. High-yielding variety. The pods are green, up to 20 cm long, flat. He loves warmth, so it is recommended to plant it on the site after the frost is completely over.
"Zhuravushka"
It belongs to early ripening varieties of beans; it takes up to 50 days before the first fruits ripen. The plant is bushy, compact, up to 50 cm in height. The pods grow up to 13 cm in length, up to 1 cm in width. The beans are slightly curved, rich green. The seeds are white. Perfect for frozen storage and preservation.
"Panther"
One of the most popular green beans. The plant is short, bushy, up to 40 cm in height. Fully matures within 65 days. It is sown at a distance of 12 cm between seeds and 40 cm between rows. Loves warm, well-warmed soil. The pods ripen together, making harvesting easier. The beans are bright yellow in color, fleshy, without parchment and fiber. The length of the pods is up to 15 cm. It has a high disease resistance to anthracnose and bacteriosis. The most important advantage is the very high yield.
"Bergold"
Bushy asparagus beans. In terms of ripening, it belongs to the medium early (up to 60 days from the first shoots to harvest). High-yielding variety. The bush is low, up to 40 cm in height. The pods are golden yellow, slightly curved, up to 14 cm in length. The seeds are inside an oval shape. There is no parchment layer. The variety is intended for sterile preservation and freezing. It is advised to plant seeds in the ground after it warms up to a temperature of at least +15 ° C.
Vigna "Countess"
A special representative of the legume family. Refers to curly varieties. The bushes grow up to 5 m in length.The width of the pods is 1.5 cm, and in length can be up to 1 m. A slightly capricious variety of beans, loves warmth, so in the northern regions it should be planted in greenhouses, and not outdoors. If planted with seedlings, then the beans can be transferred to the ground not earlier than the soil warms up to +20 ° C. Needs solid support. Choose the sunniest places on your site for growing these beans.
