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A Comprehensive Guide to Growing and Caring for Common Beans

by Keira
written by Keira

Growing and Caring for Common Beans: A Comprehensive Guide

Planting Common Beans

Common beans are easy to grow if you can provide them with ample sunlight and moisture. Plant them in well-drained soil after the last frost date. Choose a planting site with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.

Types of Common Beans

There are three main types of common beans:

  • Pod/Snap Beans: These are the most popular beans for home gardeners. They can be either bush beans or pole beans. Bush beans grow 18-30 inches tall and are self-supporting, while pole beans have vines that can climb up to 15 feet.
  • Shell Beans: With shell beans, the pod is not eaten. Instead, the beans are removed from the pod as they approach maturity.
  • Dry Beans: Dry beans include kidney beans, white beans, yellow beans, navy beans, and pinto beans. They are typically shelled and stored dry or canned for later use.

Growing Common Beans in Pots

Growing beans in containers is a great option for gardeners with limited space. Choose a container that is at least 1 foot deep with ample drainage holes. Plant the beans in a quality potting mix that is labeled for vegetables.

Care for Common Beans

Light: Beans need full sun to produce the best yields.

Soil: Beans prefer well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH. Amend the soil with organic matter, such as compost, before planting.

Water: Water beans regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Aim to provide 1 inch of water per week.

Fertilizer: Fertilize beans every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer. Avoid using a high-nitrogen fertilizer, as beans are legumes and can fix nitrogen from the air.

Pollination: Most bean varieties are self-pollinating. However, bees and other pollinators can help to improve pollination and yields.

Harvesting Common Beans

Beans are ready to harvest when the pods are young and tender, about the size of a small pencil. The inner seeds should not yet be visible through the pods. Harvest beans regularly to encourage continued production.

Common Pests and Diseases

Several pests and diseases can affect common beans, including:

  • Mexican bean beetles: These beetles eat the flowers, beans, and leaves of bean plants.
  • Spider mites: These tiny pests pierce the leaf surface and suck the sap, causing leaves to die.
  • Japanese beetles: These beetles can skeletonize bean leaves.
  • Bean leaf beetles: These beetles can girdle the stems of bean plants near the soil line.
  • Alternaria leaf spot: This fungal disease causes brown spots on bean leaves.

To prevent pests and diseases, keep the bean plants clean and free of debris. Water them at the base of the plants to avoid getting the leaves wet.

Growing Common Beans from Seed

Bean seeds can be sown directly in the garden after the last frost date. Plant the seeds 1-2 inches deep and 2-3 inches apart. Thin the seedlings to 3-4 inches apart after they have germinated.

Propagating Common Beans

Bean plants can be propagated via seed. Harvest seed pods from healthy plants once they have dried and become brittle. Break open the pods to release the seeds. Store the seeds in a dark, dry, cool spot within an airtight container. They should be viable for three to four years.

Additional Tips for Growing Common Beans

  • Rotate your bean crops: Plant beans in a different location in your garden each year to help prevent soil-borne diseases.
  • Companion planting: Plant beans with other vegetables that benefit from their nitrogen-fixing abilities, such as corn, tomatoes, and peppers.
  • Mulching: Mulch around bean plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Pruning: Pruning is not necessary for common beans, but you can remove any dead or diseased leaves or stems.
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Gardening

How to Grow Arugula: A Comprehensive Guide for Gardeners

by Keira
written by Keira

How to Grow Arugula: A Comprehensive Guide

Planting

Arugula is an annual leafy vegetable that can be grown in the garden or in containers. It prefers full sun or part shade and well-draining soil. The seeds should be planted about 1/4 inch deep and an inch apart in rows that are about a foot apart. Arugula can be planted in the early spring or late summer, and it will be ready to harvest in about 40 days.

Care

Arugula requires regular watering, especially during hot weather. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Arugula also benefits from fertilizing with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.

Growing in Pots

Arugula can be easily grown in containers, which makes it a great option for those with limited space. Choose a container that is at least 6 inches deep and has drainage holes. Use a well-draining potting mix and water regularly.

Harvesting

Arugula is ready to harvest when the leaves are about 3 inches long. The leaves can be harvested by cutting or tearing them off at the base of the plant. Arugula can be harvested multiple times throughout the growing season.

Pests and Diseases

Arugula is susceptible to a few pests and diseases, including slugs, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, aphids, and powdery mildew. These pests and diseases can be controlled with organic methods such as insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Types of Arugula

There are many different types of arugula, each with its own unique flavor and appearance. Some of the most popular varieties include:

  • ‘Astro II’: A mild-flavored variety that matures in as little as seven weeks.
  • ‘Apollo’: A heat-tolerant variety with oval leaves.
  • ‘Olive Leaf’: A wild variety with flat, narrow leaves and a spicy flavor.
  • ‘Red Dragon’: A variety with striking purple-veined leaves and a mild flavor.
  • ‘Sylvetta’: A slow-to-bolt variety with narrow, spicy leaves.

Growing Arugula from Seed

Arugula can be easily grown from seed. The seeds can be direct-seeded in the garden or started indoors in pots. The seeds should be planted about 1/4 inch deep and kept moist. Arugula seeds will germinate in about a week.

Overwintering

Arugula is an annual plant, so it will not survive the winter outdoors in cold climates. However, it can be grown indoors over the winter if it is provided with enough light.

Troubleshooting

Problem: Arugula leaves are turning yellow.

Solution: Arugula leaves may turn yellow if the plant is not getting enough nitrogen. Fertilize the plant with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.

Problem: Arugula leaves are wilting.

Solution: Arugula leaves may wilt if the plant is not getting enough water. Water the plant regularly, especially during hot weather.

Problem: Arugula leaves are infested with pests.

Solution: Arugula leaves may be infested with pests such as slugs, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, aphids, or powdery mildew. Treat the plant with an organic insecticide or fungicide.

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Gardening

Growing Yellow Tomatoes: A Comprehensive Guide for Gardeners

by Keira
written by Keira

Growing Yellow Tomatoes: A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing the Right Yellow Tomato Variety

With hundreds of tomato varieties available, selecting the perfect yellow tomato for your garden can be overwhelming. Consider these factors:

  • Indeterminate vs. Determinate: Indeterminate varieties continue to grow throughout the season, while determinate varieties have a limited growth habit.
  • Fruit Size: Yellow tomatoes come in a range of sizes, from bite-sized cherry tomatoes to large beefsteak tomatoes.
  • Flavor: Yellow tomatoes generally have a milder, sweeter flavor than red tomatoes, but there are variations among varieties. Some have a tangy or fruity taste.
  • Disease Resistance: Some yellow tomato varieties are more resistant to common diseases, such as blight and fusarium wilt.

Planting and Care

Yellow tomatoes require similar growing conditions as red tomatoes:

  • Sun: Full sun for at least 6 hours per day.
  • Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
  • Water: Water deeply and regularly, especially during hot, dry periods.
  • Fertilizer: Fertilize every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
  • Mulch: Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Recommended Yellow Tomato Varieties

Here are some of the most popular and highly-rated yellow tomato varieties:

  • Amish Gold: Indeterminate, 1 1/2 to 2 inch oblong-shaped tomatoes with a sweet/tart flavor.
  • Azoychka: Early-maturing, 5 to 8 ounce bright yellow tomatoes with a tart flavor.
  • Basinga: Heirloom, large (6 to 8 ounces), pale lemon-colored tomatoes with a mild, sweet flavor.
  • Beauty King: Indeterminate, very large one-pound tomatoes with bold red stripes and a meaty, flavorful interior.
  • Dixie Golden Giant: Heirloom, open-pollinated, 1 to 2-pound golden yellow beefsteak tomatoes with a sweet flavor.
  • Dr. Wyche’s Yellow Tomato: Indeterminate heirloom, one pound golden-yellow tomatoes with meaty flesh and rich flavor.
  • Earl of Edgecombe: Heirloom, 3-inch round tomatoes with a yellowish-orange flesh that is firm and meaty.
  • Lemon Boy: Hybrid, globe-shaped tomatoes with a mild, slightly tangy flavor.
  • Profi Frutti Grape Yellow: Indeterminate, produces large bunches of extra sweet grape-size tomatoes on an indeterminate vine.
  • Sun Sugar Yellow Cherry Tomatoes: Disease-resistant, produces hundreds of small, sweet yellow cherry tomatoes.
  • Yellow Brandywine: Heirloom, tends to be more orange than yellow, large-sized fruit with a potato-leaf variety.
  • Yellow Pear Tomato: One of the oldest small fruit tomatoes, produces masses of 1 1/2 to 2 inch pear-shaped, lemon-colored fruits.
  • Yellow Plum Tomato: Old variety, produces large amounts of small, mild, and sweet 1 by 1 1/4 inch oval-shaped fruits.

Harvesting Yellow Tomatoes

Yellow tomatoes are ripe when they are fully colored and slightly soft to the touch. Harvest them by gently twisting them off the vine. Store ripe tomatoes at room temperature for a few days or refrigerate them for up to a week.

Additional Tips for Success

  • Start seeds indoors about six weeks before the last frost of spring.
  • Plant seedlings deeply, burying the stem up to the first set of leaves.
  • Provide support for indeterminate varieties to prevent them from sprawling.
  • Water consistently and deeply, especially during hot, dry weather.
  • Fertilize regularly to promote healthy growth and fruiting.
  • Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Rotate tomato crops each year to prevent disease buildup.
  • Harvest tomatoes regularly to encourage continued production.
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