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String beans are one of the oldest vegetable crops in the world. In Europe, they heard about it in the XNUMXth century, but at first it grew only in the courtyards of nobles as flowers for a flower bed. The first to try the pods in cooking were inventive Italians, who still cook many dishes based on asparagus beans. At that time, it was considered a delicacy, and poor people could only afford ordinary shelled beans.
Today, asparagus beans are popular all over the world and are considered a healthy dietary product. This vegetable crop is worthy of our attention, as well as a place on the gardens and tables. The main advantage is that it is not whimsical at all, and most varieties can be grown even in cold climates, as, for example, in Siberia, and even more so in the middle lane, the Moscow region and the southern regions.
Many varieties of beans were bred specifically for growing in cold summer conditions. But in general, beans are able to withstand both drought and cold without harm to future crops. For those who cannot decide which variety to choose for growing on their site, it will be useful to find out the characteristics of the best varieties of asparagus beans. And those who have not yet grown this crop will be able to see that it is not difficult at all.
Classification of varieties
Breeders managed to bring out a huge number of varieties of beans. All of them are divided into certain groups according to characteristic features.
According to the type of ripened fruits, there are 3 groups:
- sugar beans. Grown to produce young pods without a parchment layer;
- universal bean. It has a denser texture, and can be eaten both in the form of pods and fully ripened seeds;
- shelled or grain beans. Grown only to collect seeds.
In this classification, green beans belong to the first and second types. In turn, it is divided into groups according to the size and shape of the pods:
- common beans. Considered the most common in Our Country and European countries, the pods grow up to 20 cm and can contain up to 10 seeds;
- vigna. These include ancient Asian varieties, the pods of which can reach 1 m in length and contain up to 100 seeds.
Also, there are species that are distinguished by the shape of the bush:
- Winding Beans. The stems can grow up to 5 m in length. Such varieties need supports, ripen later, but the harvest is more plentiful. Can be used as a decorative garden decoration.
- Spray Beans. The bush is low (up to 50 cm in height), often sprawling. Unpretentious to weather conditions, quickly ripens.
String beans can be of various colors, depending on the variety. The most popular are yellow and green types. But there may be more toxic shades, such as dark purple and pink.
Peculiarities of growing
The drop-off time depends on the weather conditions in your area. In southern cities, sowing can begin as early as early May. In other regions, one should rely on the complete end of frosts. The soil should warm up well (mid-May – early June). Only then can you start planting in open ground. Beans grow well and develop at a temperature of +15 ° C and above.
Soil preparation begins in the fall. It needs to be dug up and fed with mineral or organic fertilizers. In the spring, you can additionally add wood ash to each hole. Seeds are planted to a depth of about 5 cm. Leave 10-20 cm between plants, and 30-50 cm between rows. Too dense planting will interfere with proper plant care and fruit development. To be completely sure that the seeds will not freeze, it would be a good idea to cover the area with a film that will help retain heat and moisture longer.
In cold regions, it will be better to plant beans with seedlings. While it is still cold outside, the sprouts will have time to get stronger, and as soon as the frosts subside, they can already be planted in the garden. If the summer in your area is warm, dry or germinated seeds are used for sowing.
Keep the soil moist throughout the growth of the plants. And after the start of flowering, the soil is fertilized. But this is not necessary, since the bean is an unpretentious plant and tends to fertilize the soil with nitrogen itself.
Harvesting
Bush asparagus beans ripen slightly faster than curly beans. In any case, care must be taken to collect the pods in time until they harden. It should be noted right away that this will have to be done often, since the pods do not ripen at the same time.
Universal beans can be harvested at different stages of development. And even if you forgot to pick the pods in time, you can not be afraid, in a fully ripe form, it is no less tasty. Such seeds are also left for planting next year. They store well when dry, unlike young pods. Asparagus beans are great for freezing and canning.
Varieties of string beans
Consider the most popular varieties that performed well according to gardeners.
“Oil King”
Bush bean variety, compact. By ripening time – early, about 50 days pass from germination to technical maturity. Yellow pods, without parchment layer. The yield is high. The length of the beans is up to 25 cm. The fruits taste tender and soft. It has high disease resistance to fungi and viruses.
«Saxony 615»
Belongs to bush varieties, plant height reaches 40 cm. Fully ripens in 50 days. The pods are even, up to 12 cm long, light green in color. It has high taste qualities, contains a large amount of vitamins. Despite the size of the bush, it has a high yield. There is no parchment layer and fiber, which provides a sweet and delicate taste.
“Purple Queen”
Bushy plant with medium maturity. It stands out from other varieties with its dark purple color. The height of the bush can be up to 60 cm. It has a high yield and excellent taste of the fruit. Pods grow up to 20 cm in length. Recommended for conservation. It has a high disease resistance. During heat treatment, the color becomes dark green.
“Sweet Courage”
Bush variety, compact plant (up to 40 cm in height). By the speed of maturation – early ripening. Only 40–55 days will pass from the beginning of seed germination to the ripening of the first crop. The pods are slightly curved, cylindrical in shape. Fruit color is rich yellow. The beans can grow up to 16 cm. It is distinguished by the friendly ripening of the pods.
“Golden Nectar”
Refers to climbing varieties. The fruit ripening process takes about 70 days. Pods are yellow. The shape of the beans is cylindrical, narrow, growing up to 25 cm in length. Due to the severity of the fruit, it needs support. Suitable for preservation and preparation of various dishes. Suitable for growing for ornamental purposes. Long curved pods look very impressive.
“Winner”
Curly variety of asparagus beans, late ripening. Ripe fruits will have to wait up to 90 days. When disembarking, at least 30 cm should be left between the bushes, since the bush is very sprawling. It is also often grown for ornamental purposes. The flowers are large, deep red. The variety is high yielding. Green pods, up to 20 cm long, flat. He loves heat, so it is recommended to land on the site after the complete end of frost.
“cranberry”
Refers to early-ripening varieties of beans, up to 50 days pass before the first fruits ripen. The plant is bushy, compact, up to 50 cm in height. The pods grow up to 13 cm long, up to 1 cm wide. The beans are slightly curved, saturated green. Seeds are white. Great for frozen storage and canning.
“Panther”
One of the most popular varieties of green beans. The plant is low, bushy, up to 40 cm in height. Fully matures within 65 days. It is sown at a distance of 12 cm between seeds, and 40 cm between rows. Likes warm, well-drained soil. The pods ripen together, which makes harvesting easier. The beans are bright yellow, fleshy, do not have a parchment layer and fiber. The length of the pods is up to 15 cm. It has a high disease resistance to anthracnose and bacteriosis. The most important advantage is a very high yield.
“Bergold”
Bush asparagus beans. In terms of ripening, it belongs to medium-early (up to 60 days from the first shoots to harvest). The variety is high yielding. The bush is low, up to 40 cm in height. The pods are golden yellow, slightly curved, up to 14 cm long. Seeds are oval inside. There is no parchment layer. The variety is intended for sterile canning and freezing. It is recommended to plant seeds in the soil after it warms up to a temperature of at least +15 ° C.
Vigna “Countess”
A special member of the legume family. Refers to climbing varieties. The bushes grow up to 5 m long. The width of the pods is 1,5 cm, and they can be up to 1 m long. A slightly capricious bean variety, loves heat, so in the northern regions it should be planted in greenhouses, and not on open ground. If planted using seedlings, then beans can be transferred to the ground no earlier than the soil warms up to +20 ° C. Needs strong support. Choose the sunniest places in your area for growing this bean.
