Asparagus, green beans, cowpea – all these are the names of a special variety of beans that taste like asparagus, and look like ordinary beans. In turn, asparagus beans are divided into bush and curly.
Growing cowpea does not require much effort. It is unpretentious to the conditions and soil, the main thing is to be warm. Therefore, it does not always bear fruit well in the northern regions. But resourceful gardeners found a way out. In such a climate, beans are planted in sandy soil, which warms up much faster.
One of the worthy representatives of green beans is the Fantasy variety. It has gained great popularity due to its palatability and ease of cultivation. Consider the description of this species, as well as detailed care instructions.
Characteristics and advantages of the variety
Asparagus beans “Fantasy” refers to early ripe varieties. It takes about 55–65 days from the appearance of the first sprouts to full ripening. It belongs to the bush varieties of green beans, the height is only 30–40 cm.
- it is easier to grow, as it does not need supports. This will save you a lot of time and effort;
- it ripens faster than climbing varieties. And the entire harvest will take place in 2-3 stages, while curly beans need to be inspected periodically, tearing off new pods. This does not mean that the harvest will be less, it’s just that such beans ripen very amicably and give fruits;
- takes up less space in your garden, and is easier to clean up after harvest because you don’t have to untangle the stems.
Pods “Fantasy” are narrow, can grow up to 13 cm in length. The color is rich, dark green. Seeds inside oblong shape. The taste is delicate, sugary. The pods do not have a parchment layer, juicy, without fibers. The variety is high yielding.
Prefers moist loose soil that does not form a crust after watering or rains. It also likes warmth, does not develop well in shady places. It is used in cooking for the preparation of various dishes and side dishes. Suitable for canning and freezing.
Cultivation and care
It is necessary to plant green beans no earlier than the frost has completely subsided. The soil should be well warmed up, not lower than +15°C. Usually this is mid-May – early June. In order for the seeds to sprout faster, they should be soaked and kept for several hours or a day.
The beans are sown in the prepared soil to a depth of 3 cm. If the seed is placed deeper, it will germinate and develop much more slowly. But if your soil is sandy, then, on the contrary, you should plant it deeper so that the roots are well established in such loose soil. The distance between plants should be 10-20 cm, and between rows – about 40 cm.
A week later, the first shoots will appear. Watering is not often necessary, however, if the summer is dry, you will have to make sure that the soil remains moist. Soil mulching when growing asparagus beans “Fantasy” can have its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of mulch is that it retains moisture better in the soil. And the disadvantage is poor warming of the soil. Based on this, it is better to start mulching no earlier than the end of June.
Top dressing of the “Fantasy” variety can be omitted, as it is unpretentious and is content with useful substances already in the ground. Also, beans have the ability to enrich the soil with nitrogen. It is often grown to fertilize the soil for planting other crops. But if you still want to feed, use an infusion of ash.
Harvested food can be stored in a variety of ways. For example, make canned beans or freeze them raw or boiled. It is impossible to store green beans fresh, they can deteriorate very quickly.
Reviews
Summing up
Fans of asparagus beans will certainly appreciate this species. Those who already grow Fantasia beans are very pleased with their choice. It is valued for its unpretentiousness and taste. This variety is perfect for those who have little time to care for vegetable crops, but still want to have delicious fruits in their garden.
