Asparagus (green) beans – an overseas guest, originally from Central and South America. Although, at present, it has become a full-fledged resident in our gardens and orchards. The taste of the fruit is reminiscent of the taste of young shoots of asparagus, hence the origin of the name.
Benefit
The beneficial properties of asparagus beans have long been appreciated by vegetarians, people who are losing weight and leading a healthy lifestyle, also turned their attention to beans, as it is a source of vitamins, trace elements, fiber and easily digestible proteins. It is proteins that are responsible for the construction of our body. Regular consumption of asparagus beans in food will strengthen the immune system, eyesight, heart and blood vessels. Fiber has a beneficial effect on the stomach and intestines, contributes to the timely evacuation of unprocessed food residues.
Description
Pods of asparagus beans are used in cooking completely, along with the wings, since they do not have hard fibers and a parchment layer. Agrofirm “Gavrish” offers gardeners the author’s variety Gerda. This variety is early ripening, only 50 days pass from the emergence of seedlings to the ripening of the first fruits. The pods grow up to 30 cm long, rounded, up to 3 cm in diameter. They differ from other varieties in the color of the fruit, they are pale yellow. They are convenient to collect, as if the sun’s rays penetrate the green leaves.
Green bean Gerda is a climbing plant that grows up to 3 m in height, the lower beans grow at a height of 40-50 cm. The plant definitely needs a vertical support. If you do not want to deal with the arrangement of the support, then plant the Gerda variety near the fence or near the gazebo. So, the plant will additionally perform a decorative function, forming a hedge, protecting it from prying eyes.
Cultivation
The Gerda variety can be grown by any gardener, even a beginner. The plant is unpretentious, but you should carefully consider the choice of a place for growing: a well-lit, calm area is the best place for the Gerda variety. Soils are suitable sandy or loamy. They warm up quickly, conduct water well, moisture does not stagnate in them. It is these soils that asparagus beans require.
But loamy and sandy soils are characterized by a low content of organic and mineral substances. Therefore, in order to grow a good crop, take care of fertilizing. Part of the fertilizer is applied in the fall when digging the soil. Fresh manure and potassium-phosphorus fertilizers will help future plants in the growing season.
Asparagus beans of the Gerda variety are planted in the ground in late May – early June. Make sure there are no more frosts and that the soil is warm enough. Then you can start landing. Seeds are sown in prepared soil to a depth of 3-4 cm, following a planting pattern of 10×50 cm.
Before planting, take care of the support for the future plant. A very successful design of the support in the form of a pyramid. 4 poles are taken, 3,5-4 m long, they are installed at the corners of a square with a side of 50-100 cm. The tops are brought together and fastened. Seeds are planted on the sides of the square, over time the entire pyramid will be hidden under the leaves and fruits. Watch the video to see what these supports look like:
Regular care for asparagus beans consists of watering, weeding, feeding. You can feed with ash, slurry, herbal infusion.
Don’t miss the harvest time. Pods of asparagus beans are harvested at the stage of milky ripeness. It is best to collect fruits daily, then the plant becomes more active and forms more and more fruits. The Gerda variety is suitable for fresh consumption, canning and freezing.
Conclusion
Gerda beans do not require much effort from you to grow them. You will get healthy fruits rich in protein, fiber and vitamins. From 1 sq. m you can get up to 4 kg of crop.