The Gardener Magazine

How to get the best from garden beans

What’s to like: green beans are tasty but never overpower a dish, which means they fit into any dish, from salads to soups and slow cooked dishes. They are incredibly versatile as a veggie side dish, tossed in delicious sauces or simply drizzled with melted butter. They pair with potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms and chillies (amongst others). The younger the beans, the more delicious they are.

Also healthy: They are low in calories but high in fibre and rich in vitamin C as well as other antioxidants, vitamin K, iron and calcium. Eating them on a regular basis helps maintain your overall health, including a healthy digestive system and strong healthy bones.

Sowing and growing

Beans grow best in full sun. Sow directly into fertile, well composted soil that drains well. To stimulate germination, plant three beans per hole. Don’t ask why, it just works!

When the beans

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from The Gardener Magazine

The Gardener Magazine2 min read
GREG’S TOP TIPS Yard stuff
Clean paving with a pressure sprayer to remove slippery algae, mosses and grime. Move frost-sensitive plants in pots to a protected place and buy frostguard material to protect sensitive plants in the garden. In very cold areas, bubble wrap is ideal
The Gardener Magazine2 min read
Dirt DIARIES
I am hoping that you or one of your gardening-world colleagues will be able to help me with this problem. I have in my Pretoria garden three bougainvillea which have flourished. They are planted in separate places in the garden so are not close to ea
The Gardener Magazine2 min read
CONSERVING WATER: A Gardener’s Guide to Sustainable Lawn Watering during the Cold Season
As we approach the winter season, gardeners are gearing up for the unique challenges and opportunities that the colder weather brings. While the focus may shift from summer blooms to winter hardiness, one aspect remains constant: the importance of wa

Related