Beans are a nutritious and rewarding crop to grow in your Calgary garden. With minimal effort, you can enjoy fresh pods in summer and preserve dried beans for hearty soups and stews throughout the year. Here’s how to successfully grow beans in Calgary’s unique climate.
Introduction to Beans
Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were originally cultivated in South and Central America and became staple crops for Indigenous peoples in North America. They are classified into three categories based on how they are consumed:
- Snap Beans: Eaten fresh when the pods are young and tender.
- Shell Beans: Harvested when the seeds are fully developed inside the pod but still fresh.
- Dry Beans: Collected once the pods have dried and the seeds are hard.
Nutritional Benefits
- Fresh Beans: High in vitamins A and C, potassium, and low in calories.
- Dried Beans: Provide high fiber, rich in B vitamins, low in fat, and a great source of protein. Regular consumption can help lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar levels, making them suitable for those with diabetes.
Selecting Bean Varieties
Beans thrive in Calgary’s warm summer weather, so choose varieties that are well-suited for the region:
- Bush Beans:
- Grow 1½ to 2 feet tall.
- Mature in 50–60 days.
- Require successive plantings for a continuous harvest.
- Pole Beans:
- Grow 6 to 8 feet tall and need vertical support.
- Start producing in 55–65 days and can be harvested for a longer period with only one or two plantings.
Planting Beans
- Timing:
- Plant beans one week after the last spring frost, when soil temperatures reach 15°C to 18°C (60°F to 65°F). This ensures proper germination and avoids seed rot.
- Soil Preparation:
- Plant in well-drained soil, enriched with compost or well-rotted manure.
- Inoculate seeds with Rhizobium to help fix nitrogen in the soil. This involves dusting damp seeds with a black powder before planting.
- Planting:
- For bush beans, plant 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep, 2 inches (5 cm) apart, with rows set 18 inches (45 cm) apart.
- For pole beans, use the same spacing but ensure to install trellises or poles before planting.
Providing Support
Beans, especially pole and runner varieties, need support to climb:
- Trellis or Fencing: Use a trellis, chicken wire, or nylon netting set up before planting.
- DIY Options: Create a teepee using 10-foot saplings, allowing room for children to play or easy access for harvesting.
Watering and Maintenance
- Moisture: Beans require consistent moisture, especially around flowering time. Water when the top half inch (1 cm) of soil is dry.
- Mulching: Use straw or composted leaves after the soil warms to conserve moisture and control weeds.
- Thinning: Thin seedlings to 6 inches (15 cm) apart once they develop leaves, keeping the vigorous plants.
Harvesting and Enjoying Your Beans
- Fresh Eating: Enjoy snap beans fresh or freeze them for later use.
- Storage: For dry beans, allow the pods to dry completely on the plant before harvesting and storing in a cool, dry place.
Recommended Varieties for Calgary
- Bush Beans: ‘Blue Lake Bush’ for flavor, ‘Provider’ for early harvest.
- Pole Beans: ‘Kentucky Wonder’ and ‘Fortex’ for tender, long pods.
- Unique Options: Consider ‘Dragon Tongue’, an heirloom variety with exquisite flavor and beautiful streaked pods.
Beans are not just a nutritious crop; they also bring beauty to your garden with their flowers and foliage. With proper planning and care, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest that will last through the seasons!
