French Beans
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by Jessica Mousseau
French Beans are more commonly known as kidney beans. Kidney beans are actually the name of a French bean once it has reached its full maturity. These easy to grow beans are not only very tasty, but they are also healthy; thus, giving any experienced gardener an excellent excuse for growing them.
Growing your French Beans
French Beans need a soil temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. They also need to be kept away from frost. Be sure to plant late in April to ensure the last frost has passed in order to keep your veggies free from harm. If your seedlings are subjected to a frost, they will need to be taken out and plant new ones.
Dig about a 2 inch hole with approximately 1 foot between each hole for the French Beans. If more than a few rows are going to be planted, leave a minimal space of 3 feet or so between every two rows of seeds. The germination rate is around 75%, so be sure to sow thinly. Around 1 seedling every 6 or so inches should be fine, and then they can be thinned down to about 1 seedling every foot or so. This should be down around three weeks after sowing. If necessary the seedlings at the end of the rows can be moved to fill in the spaces where other seedlings did not grow.
Watch Out
Halo Blight is a disease that should be looked for when harvesting French Beans. Halo Blight is brown spots on the French Beans leaves, and has a halo-like appearance. The most common reasons for this to show up on French Beans is because they were not properly stored prior to being planted. Also if they have been soaked prior to planting, it is actually possible to have purchased them from a not-so good source. As you are planting your seeds, be aware of the seeds. Basically be sure that they do not have an unusual shape, markings, and/or wrinkles, if so, then they do not need to be planted. If you notice the Halo Blight on any of your plants, immediately pull the entire plant from the ground and throw it away.
Slugs
Slugs are a in seventh heaven when they get the chance to feast on the French Bean. There is not a single area of the French Bean that a slug does not find appealing and tasty. Be sure to keep slugs away from your veggies. The pesky blackfly also loves to destroy French Beans. A fairly easy way to keep the black fly from eating your French Beans is to plant marigolds nearby. Marigolds attract many beneficial insects that will take care of the blackfly for you.
Tags: Gardening, Vegetable Gardening