Garden Pic: Bean Sprout

Just a week after I planted the pole beans next to the corn, the sprouts came up! Of all my plants started from seeds, the beans are my favorite. They remind me of origami as the seat coat splits and the large firm leaves unfold. Last year, I started beans indoors but quickly learned that they do much better when seeded into the ground. As young plants, indoors they grew leggy and the leaves grew large and fragile to compensate for the lack of sunlight. Outdoors, the young plants were strong, dark green and tolerated the dry spells between watering better. Once acclimated, I couldn’t tell the difference between the two. Last summer I extended the crop season by planting new seeds every couple weeks until mid-summer and replanting those I’d allowed to over ripen. In just a small garden box, I was able to grow a couple gallons of pole beans. I have extra beans for planting if any of my local friends want to give them a try!