Gardening A to Z: B is for Beans

While I was being taunted by the warm weather in March, I started thinking ahead to my gardens. I started to dream about all of the vegetables I am going to grow. I have the same grandiose dreams every year of actually growing enough vegetables to feed myself through the entire summer. But it never works that way. First, I have a very small garden plot in which I can try to grow my veggies. Second, life often gets in the way. Nevertheless, I dutifully try every year to grow something edible.

The one thing I manage to grow with great success every year is beans. In the spirit of my mother, who grew and canned green beans every summer of my childhood, I successfully plant a semi-decent tiny crop of green beans every year. I have enough for my own dinner for a few weeks. Sometimes I even have a chance to share. I need to remember to plant more seeds every couple of weeks so that I can spread out the harvest.

Photo by Helmet Gevert on SXC

A couple of years ago, I decided to also try to grow wax beans. I have no idea why they are called wax beans. They are yellow and essentially the same as the green beans. They have a slightly different taste, but are just as good steamed or in a salad as their green counterparts. They grow just as easily, too.

Photo by Shay Blufarb on SXC

I already have several seed packets purchased. I love being able to buy them so cheaply before the season truly gets underway. I found great prices at Walmart and Dollar General. They are sitting by my back door, longing to be planted in the ground. Alas, it is approximately 30 degrees outside now, so it looks like I will need to wait for a while. Until then, I will dream of healthy, yummy eating.