The Complete Guide to Growing Vegetables, Flowers, Fruits, and Herbs from Containers by Lizz Shepherd

Author:Lizz Shepherd [Shepherd, Lizz]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: container, garden, vegetables, fruits, plants, herbs, flowers, crops, thrive, small spaces
Publisher: Atlantic Publishing Group Inc.
Published: 2012-03-02T22:00:00+00:00

A Complete List of Container-grown Vegetables

Many common vegetables are grown at home because of their versatility in recipes or their usage as convenient snacks. The following are some common vegetables that can be grown in containers indoors or out.

Beans

Botanical name: Varies by variety

Common name: Beans

Family name: Fabaceae

Origin: The Americas, Europe, and Asia

Light: Full sun

Size and growth: Varies by variety

Minimum temperature: 60° Fahrenheit

Blooming season: Summer through fall

Outside hardiness zone: 2-11, depending on variety

Best time to prune: Prune dead growth and small flowers

Pests or diseases to watch for: Fungi, aphids, beetles

Fertilizer: Compost or slow-release granules

Unique characteristics/growing tips: To facilitate growth, provide support for climbing bean varieties.

Description:

Many varieties of beans exist, with origins all over the world. Beans are popular everywhere because of their dense nutritional value. They are high in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. This makes them a highly valuable source of nutrition. Beans are also low in calories, which makes them healthy for any diet plan.

When growing beans, you should consider the type of plant you want to grow. Some beans are toxic when eaten raw, and these may not be the best varieties to grow in a family container garden. Runner beans, soybeans, and kidney beans are all poisonous when eaten uncooked. Some beans grow as bushes and others as climbing vines. Climbing beans need to have stakes or lattices provided to give them support. If you do not want to provide supports for a vine or do not have the vertical space, a bush type of bean plant will be best.

Bean plants tend to prefer warm weather and full sun. They should only be taken outdoors a week or two after the area has had its last freeze. Climbing bean plants can tolerate some shade, but they must have direct sunlight for six or more hours each day. When fertilizing bean plants, choose a fertilizer low in nitrogen and high in phosphates. Choose a 1-2-1 fertilizer that is a slow-release variety.

Bush beans and climbing vines both need to have ample air circulation around them. Bean plants are susceptible to fungi and other bean diseases that can be caused by too much moisture and too little air circulation.

The soil should stay moist for most bean plants. Some are drought tolerant, but they will grow and produce better when watered regularly. If the containers are kept outside, a thin layer of bark mulch over the soil can help retain moisture. However, make sure the mulch is not touching the leaves or the stems of the plant. This can keep too much moisture on the plant and cause fungal infections. Indoors, simply check the soil each day and water if it is not moist. Use the soil-watering method — applying water directly to the soil and not the plant — to avoid putting too much moisture on the plant.

Most bean plants take about eight to nine weeks to mature and produce beans. If you want to harvest plenty of beans throughout the growing season, use several bean plants, starting one every two weeks.

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