Originally Published In The Deseret News -- Wednesday, May 10, 1995
When it comes to glamorous vegetables, no one ever thinks of beans. Beans are often linked with impoverished people - among gardeners, beans never evoke strong feelings of excitement. They never grace the front pages of garden catalogs, yet they have been the most important vegetable crop throughout the ages. They provide the best vegetable source of protein and are the staple of life for many societies. Few vegetables are so diverse and have such a fascinating history.
I have no idea how many different kinds of beans there are, but I have seen collections that number in the hundreds. Colors include white, black, red, ocher and brown, green, pink, maroon, purple, tan and yellow with streaks or spots. Seeds are round, flat, oval, long or kidney shaped, with round or flat pods colored yellow, green, purple, white or red.
Beans are separated botanically into four species. The most common, Phaseolus vulgaris, gets its scientific name from being a "vulgar" or common bean. P. lunatus includes the lima and the butter beans. P. coccineus includes "Scarlet Runner Beans," and P. acutifolius includes the tepary beans grown by Southwest Indians.
Beans are also separated by usage into snap beans, shell beans and dry beans. Snap beans are also known as "string beans." Plant breeders have removed the fibrous strings so that "snap bean" is now the preferred name. The name comes because young tender pods snap in pieces when bent.
These beans originated in America and were taken by the Spanish to Europe. At first, they were grown only as ornamentals, but eventually they became a popular dish in France and were known as "haricot verts," which translates to "green beans." They were reintroduced to America in 1836 by a farmer from Utica, N.Y., even though Native Americans were already growing them here.
Snap beans grow as bush or pole types. They are easy to grow and start producing eight to 10 weeks after planting. There are several varieties recommended for Utah. Pole bean choices are "Blue Lake" (one of the all-time favorites) and "Romano Pole." Bush green beans include Blue Lake 274, Oregon Trail, Strike, Triumph, Slenderette, Kentucky Wonder and Tendergreen. Wax or yellow beans include Gold Crop, Sungold, Goldenrod and Golden Wax. Royal Burgundy has a purple rod that turns green when cooked.
Shell beans are removed from the pod while they are still immature. Lima beans are typical shell beans. They have been grown for nearly 6,000 years near the city in Peru that now bears their name. They can be grown in Utah, although they require a longer growing season than the snap beans. They were once an important crop in Utah, and several new varieties were developed by Utah State University. Kingston, Fordhook and Baby Fordhook are good bush varieties, while Burpees Best and Prizetaker are pole type varieties. French Horticulture, Vermont Cranberry and Southern Peas such as the Black Eyed Peas, are other varieties of shell beans.
All beans can be grown as dry beans. This means the pods are allowed to grow and mature until they become hard and dry. Some beans such as Pinto, Red Kidney and Great Northern Beans are grown specifically for dry beans. Most gardeners don't bother growing these because they take a lot of space and it's a lot of work to pick and shell the pods.
Beans are soil builders. They take nitrogen from the air, utilize it in growing and leave some in the ground for the next plants. Plant them after the soil warms, and follow the first planting of bush beans with a second planting later in the season. Pole beans are more productive, but require more space and training as they must be trellised.
Pests include the Mexican bean beetle, which is actually a ladybird beetle gone bad. Control these pests by planting early or late in the season, or by hand picking. Severe infestations may require treatment with an insecticide. Pyrethrum is the best choice for organic gardeners, and Sevin is also effective against these pests. Mites occasionally attack the plants and are best controlled using insecticidal soap or Kelthane. Both pests live on the under side of leaf, so spraying is difficult.
Beans are not appreciated for all the goodness they provide. Whether you snap them, shell them or dry them, they will add taste and nutrients to your meal. Plant several varieties to enjoy fresh beans throughout the season and extra for winter eating.
- THE UTAH IRIS SOCIETY will sponsor its Median iris show on Saturday, May 13, at the Sugarhouse Garden Club Center from 1-6 p.m. Smaller bearded iris that will be displayed are: Miniature Dwarf Bearded, Standard Dwarf Bearded, Intermediate Bearded, Miniature Tall Bearded and Border Bearded. For more information, call Brad Kasperek at 254-2536 or 251-4145.
© 1998 Deseret News Publishing Co.