Partnering in Agriculture: Check this before going into Partnership

Are you willing to go for a Partnership in Agriculture. There is equal advantages and Disadvantages, when working in sole and in partnership. Here are few suggestions to check before going into Partnership in Agriculture Business.

* Let me come from begining, If two or four people are willing to do Agriculture, They can appoint one Manager, to manage the tasks in Farm.

* Make sure, don't be anxious, things might change which all depends on climate, soil, seeds and from many other sources.

* Partner being a friend, is not a bad idea until both have understanding.

* But, for some reason dont go and ask for a job or partnership volunteerly, with the friend who is already in a partnership business and dont take your own decisions. Because, you dont know what are the things there.  In place of investor, Understand the situations and capabilities to take your decisions.

* Always dont create Illusions, for example: Investor (Dont create Illusions Regarding salary), From Employee side (If we do like this we can get 3 times profit). Dont create illusions like this, because it might happen or could not happen, who knows about the future. This type of Illusions make even a non-greedy person to greedy.

* Just go for a Experienced person who is skilled one, rather than a freshers in Agriculture.

* Need to think of expenses to maintain daily needs.

* It is nice to maintain a dairy on both ends. (Investor and employee)

* If everyone invests equally, it is good for taking decisions. Otherwise priority matters.

* Sometimes, Division of Land according to Investments might help in this type of situations.

* Just write a Constitution (Rules and Regulations) for your farm, just like Indian constitution.

Hahaha :)

* If all the investors are in field, it will be nice. So, there will be no feeling of guilty on both sides.

* If someone has health issues, choose accordingly. Its better not to enter.

* If someone has more commitments, choose accordingly. Better to start solo.

* Investors need to enter into Agriculture, if they have backup for the whole year or atleast for two seasonal crops.

* In Agriculture, Percentage basis of wages will won't work for long term. Which can make to leave.

* All the Investors, need to sit together for discussions and each one need to know what are the things happening in the farm. Before taking any decision by one investor, need to discuss with other investors too Because, everyone have their own ideas.

* Invest if you believe yourself, and be free to do what you want to do.

* And last but not the least, Before investing your Money if you get loss how you are going to mange with it. Need to think over it.

If you any other points to mention, you can write down your comments.

Dont forget to like and share www.facebook.com/abcdfarming/

View our sitemap

Read More

CAN WE WELCOME THEM?

Hi, Good evening to All.

Happy Deepawali to all.
One of my friend started Agricultural trading company in Hosur, TN, India. He is Genuine and works with patience. He is looking for Vegetable and Fruit buyers worldwide. This page might help him. If anyone know genuine buyers, please refer.

Assume if product price is 4 shares, only one share is given to Farmer.

So, to reduce this problems they like to tie-up directly with farmers to  benefit the farmers as well as the clients.

CAN WE WELCOME THEM...?

View our sitemap

 

Read More

Labour Management: How do you Manage with Labours?

Hi Good Afternoon all, Today I Like to post on Labour Management.

Before starting sowing or transplanting, we need to think about Labour Management. Some crops need more labours and for some, minimum labours is enough. No of labours depends on crop yeilds, months of harvest, weeding, crop types etc...

* Before selection of crops know your strength and weekness. (i.e) Assume Tomato crop, It needs more labours in weeding, poles fixing, and harvesting, atleast 10 members. You can manage spraying and tieing up the tomato stems to poles with four or six.

* Whether can you able to manage the labours Time to Time ?. you need to question yourself. Depending on that you need to choose the crop.

* Bringing labours, depends on how much wages you give to them. Here, The wages for women normally between 170 rs to 200 rs with afternoon lunch, but sometimes it exceeds 200 rs depending on the market demands. For men it is normally 350 rs to 400 rs with lunch. Depending on type of work it exceeds. Most men take contract from the landlords for the particular work to complete in prescribed time. Where the wages will be high at this instant, but work will be completed in time.

* In middle, Landlords can get trouble in getting labours. some of the reasons are 1.) Some of them have joined to PM's yojana water source development. 2.) May be some other landlord is giving high wages. 3.) work opputunities in Industries.

* Thus, Few of the Landlords make contract with labours by giving Advance before the commencement of work.

* While the Labours on work, Landlords need to be friendly but not too much and not to ask or discuss yours or their personal issues with the labour, it may rise conflicts or disturb your farming activities.

* If the lunch is provided in time, it might increase the respect towards Landlords.

* Assume If a work is not done by a particular labour, make sure your words will make him/her to work and not hurt.

* So, If you can able to manage all this type of work and have enough investment in your hand, you can go forward.

* If not, we can go for crops where less number of labours needed and sometimes we ourselves can be.

* Crops like Corrainder, Dhantu, lettuce, methi, palak, etc ... are not more than 45 days crop. we can go for it.

* Don't forget to create a time table for your work schedule before cropping.

If anything has missed out here please comment !

I like you to share, If you like it.

Dont forget to like our page www.facebook.com/abcdfarming

View our sitemap

Read More

Must Know: The basic checklists before entering into farming

Hi, everyone. Today I like to post about some checklists everyone should know before entering into Farming. Nowadays, there are so many people having interest in farming and do farming. This post is dedicated to them.

* If you like to lease out land for vegetative cropping for the first time that too without experience, don't go for  more acres of land. Because managing labours, maintaining crops, manuring schedules, Land leveling, fertilizer fertigation, foliar spraying, Marketing and many more will be a tedious process.

* Lease a Land which is nearby to the market.

* Need to have a backup investment for whole one year.

* If you go for lease farm land, try to check everything is available like gate valves, electricity supply, drip pipes and its faults, land measurement so that it will be easy to split for mixed cropping.

* If the land is Fenced, it will be nice. so that you can save time, as you no need to be there everytime to watch out grazing animals coming and spoiling your feilds.

*  Try to do farming in one place rather than multiple places. It will save time and energy. Running from one field to another for some farm operations is a tedious process.

*  Few people in farming always think to acheive big. For them, I like to tell "dont neglect health".

* Try to buy some things before entering into farming Tarpal for shades or collecting harvested vegetables, kurphi (hand hoe), spades, axe, Gadari to dig holes, weighing scale, sacks, twines, seeds, hose, cutting pliers, screw drivers, spanners, etc...

* As you are a starter, dont go for bigger crops. Try crops which are harvested monthly like corrainder, methi, palak, lettuce etc...

* Before cropping try to get advice from experienced people around you.
Regarding sowing, manuring, fertilizers, foliar spray, weeding, harvesting, etc..

* Before cropping, Analyse markets for your crops and have ready buyers before harvesting.

* Prepare a feild map for mixed cropping either by sketching in pencil or you can also try out sketchup 3D software.

* Try out mixed cropping to avoid losses.

* As a starter, try to go for drip irrigation rather than furrow irrigation. As furrow irrigation takes longer time as well as it is a difficult job.

* As far as possible, try to know organic fertilizers and use it to minimize the expenses.

*  Prepare a To do list before cropping and follow it.

* Last but not the least, Marketing and Transportation of veggies not to forget.

If I forget anything here or if you have any queries please comment...! 

- ABCD farming.

View our sitemap

Read More

How to Build your own ram pump?

How to build your own Ram Pump?

Before you can really do much, you've got to go out and buy some stuff. One of those sad facts of many projects. But if you want to build this (and it's a lot of fun to see it work), print out this list and head to the plumbing dept of your hardware store. 

Materials for the Pump

• 1-1/4" valve
• 1-1/4" tee (buy two of these)
• 1-1/4" union
• 1-1/4" brass swing check valve
• 1-1/4" spring check valve
• 3/4" tee
• 3/4" valve
• 3/4" union
• 1-1/4" x 3/4" bushing
• 1/4" pipe cock
• 100 psi gauge
• 3/4" x 6" nipple
• 4" x 1-1/4" bushing
• 4" coupling
• 4" x 24" PR160 PVC pipe
• 4" PVC glue cap
• 3/4" x 1/4" bushing
• Short (4') section of 1-1/4" PVC pipe
• Old Bicycle Innertube

This parts list comes directly from the Clemson website. I recommend you look there for help in identifying what each of the pieces look like, if you're unsure. I'm also not convinced that the 100 PSI gauge, or all of the things that make it possible, are necessary. This will probably drop the price a good bit, and I haven't found a need for it on my pump. The associated pieces are: 100 PSI gauge, 3/4" Tee, 3/4" x 1/4" bushing, the 1/4" pipe cock. Four things not needed. But have them if you like. 

Connections Note Read through the instructable and understand all the pipe-fitting connections that will happen before buying materials. The store may not have exactly what you're looking for, and you may have to improvise. I wound up getting some different parts because my local store didn't have the exact parts I was looking for. This usually appears in the form of not having a threaded fitting, but having a smooth pipe connection, or vice versa. Not a problem, you can figure it out. 

Installation Materials

• Long section of 1-1/4" PVC ("drive pipe", connects pump to water supply)
• Garden Hose (male end threads into 3/4" union, supplies pumped water)
• Bricks, blocks, rocks to prop up and anchor pump
• Shower Drain assembly (must be able to attach to 1-1/4" pipe, for attaching pipe to water supply)

Build Materials and Tools

• PVC Primer (I used Oatey Purple Primer)
• PVC Cement (Oatey again, just what they had)
• Teflon Thread Tape
• Hacksaw
• Measuring Tape
• Clamps
• Pocket Knife
• Lab gloves (keeps the chemicals on the pipe and off your hands)
• Bike Pump (to inflate the innertube)

courtesy 

youtube

View our sitemap

Read More

The Photos which Insisting or bringing enthusiasm for me to become an Enterpeuner

I know there is no relation between this post with the blog but i love to share this as a Enterpeuner.

view more

Read More

Looking for Farmers and Agro Exporters to tie up

I am looking forward to tie up with farmers and Agro exporters. If any exporters and farmers are willing to tie up please comment your contact no and company name. Or call 9444618337

Read More

companion cropping Table

Name	properties	Good companions	Bad companions
Amaranth	Avoids the propagation of diseases or pest	Potatoes, onions, corn and around the garden
Basil	Keep away flies and mosquitoes, enhances the flavor of tomatoes, protect tomato from nematodes	Tomato
Bean	Repels beetles, helps corn and potato growth	Peas, cucumbers, squash, radishes, potatoes, marigold	onions, garlic
Beetroot	Loosen the soil at harvest	onions, garlic	Pole beans
Brinjal	Trap beetle	Beans, peas, thyme, Tomato
Carrot	Secretes a substance that promotes the growth of pea, repels onion fly, makes radish less piquant	Onions, garlic, rosemary, tomatoes, peas	Mint
Corn	After harvesting, the decomposition of corn stalks produce carbon-rich humus, repels cucumber fly	squash, Zucchini, beans, cucumbers, potatoes	Tomatoes
Cucumber	Keep soil humidity and protects from weed	Peas, onions, beans, radishes, lettuce, corn	Potatoes, rosemary, mint (strong spices)
Garlic	Repels insects in general, help growth of beetroot and improves its flavor	carrot, beets, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach	beans, peas
Ladies Finger	Protect pepper from wind and sun damage	All vegetables	Sweet potato, squash
Lettuce	Keeps away from plants slugs. Snails eat your lettuce priority, traps white worm	Radish, peas, tomatoes, squash, Zucchini
Marigold	Control nematodes, keeps aphids, flea beetles, ants away with it smell, helps tomato growth	Potatoes, tomatoes, beans
Mint	Repels flea beetles, ants, aphids	Tomato	Carrot
Onion	Repels carrot fly	carrots, beets, lettuce, radishes	Beans and peas, potatoes
Pea	Green manure	Beans, radishes, carrots, cucumbers, Zucchini, squash, lettuce, brinjal, spinach, mint	Garlic, onions
Pepper and Capsicum	Hot peppers repel aphids	Tomatoes, onions, carrots, basil	Spinach
Potato	Protects beans from Mexican beetle	Beans and peas, marigold, corn	Tomatoes, brinjal, cucumber, squash, Zucchini, spinach
Radish	Loosen the soil at harvest, repels cucumber fly, helps carrot germination	carrots, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, Zucchini, beans, peas, lettuce	Potato
Spinach	Can be used as green manure	lettuce, cucumbers, peas	Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers
Squash	Keep soil humidity and protects from weed	Radish, mint, peas, beans	Potatoes
Tomato	Repels carrot fly, aphids.	Basil, mint, peppers, onions, beans, lettuce	Beetroot, Brinjal, cucumber, spinach, potatoes, corn

courtesy: Annadana Soil and Seed Savers Network

View our sitemap

Read More

Growing different crops irrespective of the land size.

Hard work, dedication and some innovative thinking to make use of available resources for getting maximum benefit are practised by few farmers.

Mr. Poornaand Venkatesh Bhat from Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka is an exception.

A contractor-turned-farmer by choice, he started cultivation in 21 acres but soon had to give it up since his land was bought by the Government to set up a naval base.

He invested the money he received from the Government in 19 acres of barren wasteland.

Through sheer hard work he transformed the barren land in a few years into a big arecanut, nutmeg and pepper based intercrop plantation.

Today almost all leading agricultural scientists and students across the country are visiting his farm to learn more on areacanut, pepper and nutmeg growing techniques.

“His contributions towards plantation crops in general and spices like nutmeg in particular are noteworthy. Majority of nutmeg plants during seedling stage are males though sporadically some female seedlings are also found.

No technique

There is no other way to identify the sex of the nutmeg plant during seedling stage. It takes a minimum of five years after planting to know the gender of the plant.

But Mr. Bhat has succeeded in detecting the sex of the plant at seed stage and he intends to patent this process of sex detection,” says Dr. S.Prabhu Kumar, Zonal Project Director, ICAR, Bangalore.

For nutmeg varieties

He has also identified and developed four varieties of nutmeg and has about 2,500 nutmeg trees in his garden, which is considered to be the world’s largest nutmeg conservatory according to scientists from The Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode.

Each tree in his farm bears about 1,000 fruits a year (from sixth year of planting). One kg of nuts contains about 170 dry fruits along with the hard outer shell and one kg of mace.

The farmer is able to get an income of Rs. 1,600 per kg of mace and Rs. 500 per kg of nuts.

Not stopping with mere selling of the nuts, he has also gone into value addition of the produce. His nutmeg jams and pickles are quite popular in the market since they are rare and tasty.

Many technologies

“This innovative farmer-scientist has developed many technologies in nutmeg like harvesting and separation of fully matured nuts, washing, blanching, drying, storage, processing, grading, storing and value addition. These things are usually done by research and development institutions,” says Dr. Prabhu Kumar.

He is also an expert in arecanut and black pepper cultivation.

He gets double the average yield from both these and is also involved in black pepper processing to manufacture white pepper, which has great demand in the export market.

Till date 6,000 to 7,000 farmers from Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have visited him to learn this process.

His arecanut, pepper, nutmeg , coconut nurseries are popular among farmers. In fact many farmers who have such plantations have bought the seedlings from his nursery. “Before starting nutmeg-arecanut cultivation I grew only turmeric. I was able to a get about 20 tonnes of turmeric from an acre. In fact this was considered quite a feat in the region and I had many visitors to my place after local media reported it,” says Mr. Bhat.

Monthly expense

About 25 workers permanent workers help Mr. Bhat in his daily farm work and his monthly expense for their salaries works out to Rs. 35,000. His annual income from his farm is more than Rs. 80 lakh.

“Even CEOs in some big companies do not get such a big income. He is an example of dedication, innovation and hard work to make the best use of available resource to reap the maximum benefit,” according to Dr PrabhuKumar.

Both his sons — a lawyer and a banker — have left their jobs to help him. He is a good example for those interested to take up farming.

Advice to growers

“Be it one acre or 50 acres never put your entire investment or attention on a single crop. Grow different varieties and plan it in such a way so that once harvesting of one crop is over, harvesting of the other starts. This way a farmer can get some sort of continuous income,” seems to be his advice for other growers.

The farmer has been conferred several awards both by the state and central government for his sterling work.

Mr. Poornanand Venkatesh Bhat can be reached at Shriram Siddhi Estate, At Post Aversa – 581316, Ankola, Uttara Kananda, Karnataka, Phone :08388-292199, email : siddhinath.bhat86@gmail.com, Mobile : 9448066998.


courtesy : THE HINDU

View our sitemap

Read More

subash palekar five layer model

These diagrams will shows the subash palekar 5 layer model

The proof of the above method is given below where he is earning 6 lakhs approx. excluding expenses.

Sri Krishnappa Dasappa Gowda has developed this model in 5 acres . He has divided that 5 acres into equal blocks of 36ft X 36ft . In this video , he explains that , in each block of 36 ft x 36 ft ( which is further divided into four 9ft X 9ft sub-blocks) he is growing around 170 trees , in that he is explaining about the yield he is getting in a 9ft x 9 ft portion of land (one sub-block) . He planted 1 Banana Tree, 4 Arekanut Trees , 4 Black pepper Creepers climbing on Arekanut trees , 2 Coffee Plants , 2 Glirsedia Trees , 2 Venella Creepers climbing on Glirsedia trees & 32 Ginger Plants in each 9ft X 9ft area . He says that the Yield from,
(1) 1 Banana Tree - 10Kg X Rs.20/- = Rs. 200=00
(2) 4 Arecanut Trees - 25Kg x 4Trees x Rs.15/- = Rs.1500=00
(3) 2 Venela creepers+2Glirsedia Trees - 50grms x 2 trees x Rs.3/- = Rs. 300=00
(4) 4 Black Pepper Creepers - 1Kg x 4 x Rs.400/- = Rs.1600=00
(5) 2 Coffee plants - 2Kg x 2 Plants x Rs.80/- = Rs. 320=00
(6) 32 ginger Plants - 0.15kg x 32 x Rs.100/- = (Rs. 480=00) ( This income Rs.480/- is utilized for Expenses)
Total income from 9ft x 9 ft ( Sub- block ) land = Rs.3800 = 00
So , for each 36ft x 36ft block ( 4 Sub-blocks + 1 Coconut tree + 1 Mosambi tree ) the total income is approxmately Rs.18000 = 00.
{ Explanation :- income from each 9ft X 9ft sub-block = Rs.15,200/- , In addition to these blocks he planted 1 Mosambi (citrus) tree and 1 Coconut Tree in each 36ft X 36ft block and the income from them is Rs.2000/- and Rs.1000/- resply . So,the total income from each 36ft X 36ft Block is Rs.18,200/- and rounded off to Rs.18,000/- } .
For 1 acre there are 33 similar blocks like this , So , the total income per acre is Rs.6 Lakhs approx . ( Rs.18,200/- X 33 blocks = Rs.6,00,600/- and rounded off to 6 Lakhs ) .

CONCLUSION : He doesnt have any borewell in his farm and he says that his Land is a double wet land and mostly it is rainfed , canal water is used very rarely during peak summer . Water consumption is 10% of regular farming . He suggests that all the farmers to adopt similar Natural Farming Methods and grow plants & crops suitable for their local climate and reap money. Wish you all the best .

contact no of the farmer krishnappa: 9880587545

view more

His explanation about the subash palekar five layer model video is attached below

View our sitemap

Read More

Believe It or Not..! A farmer earns 22 lakhs per year in 2.1 acres of land

BANGALORE: At a time when there is a strong perception that farming is not a profitable venture, this farmer from Tapasihalli in Doddaballapur taluk has created waves by earning a profit of about Rs. 22 lakh a year from merely 2.1 acres of land.

profitable venture:Innovative drive and constant experimentation with multi-cropping methods have helped H. Sadananda of Tapasihalli in Doddaballapur taluk to reap a rich harvest.

It is his innovative drive and constant experimentation with multi-cropping methods that have helped 51-year-old H. Sadananda to reap a rich harvest.
He cultivates nearly 30 varieties of crop on his land, including tomato and areca on half an acre each which yield him Rs. 2 lakh and Rs. 50,000 respectively.

Ginger is cultivated along with areca in the plantation, and it yields him about Rs. 70,000 a year. Mr. Sadananda has also made space in his areca plantation for rearing 250 Giriraja hens which he sells every three months to earn about Rs. 1 lakh a year. The poultry droppings are valuable manure for the areca plantation while agricultural waste is used as feed for the birds.

He has planted about 2,000 rose cuttings on three-fourth of an acre, which fetches him about Rs. 4 lakh a year, and has set up a greenhouse on one-fourth of an acre for cultivating capsicum and high-quality rose alternatively. Capsicum, cultivated for about six months, yields him about Rs. 5.4 lakh while the rose variety that replaces capsicum for the next six months gets him about Rs. 2.5 lakh a year. A small vegetable garden, a fish-rearing pond, coconut and jackfruit trees on the periphery of his land, in addition to coffee plants, papaya, sapota and lime trees also find a place. His cows produce 80 to 100 litres of milk a day.

Manure
Manure comes from vermicompost and the slurry from a gobar gas plant. A tiny pond is filled with azolla plants which is a good cow feed.

Mr. Sadananda, who depends on borewell for irrigation, has installed drip irrigation system for the entire land at a cost of Rs. 50,000 (excluding subsidy). “Drip irrigation allows me to irrigate my entire land even with four hours of three-phase power,” he says. Besides, it prevents weeds and also saves him about Rs. 400 a day in labour costs.

Interestingly, he also breeds Rottweiler and Great Dane breeds of dogs to earn Rs. 1.2 lakh a year.
He has been honoured with prestigious awards by the Union Ministry of Agriculture. Several agricultural scientists, farmers and VIPs from India and abroad visit his farm.
Innovative ideas

Mr. Sadananda says that his farm income increased after he adopted innovative ideas provided by the Department of Biotechnology's Bio-Resource Complex project taken up in his village. He can be contacted on 9342022146.


courtesy : thehindu

View our sitemap

Read More

Complete guide of sowing, growing, harvesting Beans

Dependable and easy to cultivate, beans produce rewarding crops in a wide range of climates. Growing beans during the warm summer months may produce crisp green pods, protein-rich beans, or both, depending on variety.

Bean Types to Try

Snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) — the most popular garden beans — include bush and pole varieties, which vary in shape, size, and color. Tender filet beans are a type of green snap bean with stringless, slender, delicate pods. They are grown just like other snap beans. Growth period: 50-55 days bush, 50-67 days pole.

Dry soup beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) grow like snap beans, but the immature pods stay tender for only a few days as the plants hurry to produce mature seeds. They are very easy to dry. Growth period: 55 days green, 85 days dry.

Scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) produce showy clusters of red blossoms that attract hummingbirds and bumblebees. You can eat the young pods like snap beans, or let the pods dry and harvest the mature beans. Growth period: 60 days green, 90 days dry.

Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) stand up to humid heat and heavy insect pressure, which makes them a fine bean for warm climates. Growth period: 75 days bush, 85 days pole.

Yard-long beans, or asparagus beans (Vigna sesquipedalis), are grown for their long, slender pods, which are harvested at 12 to 18 inches long. Pods may be green, burgundy, or streaked. Growth period: 80 days.

Tepary beans (Phaseolus acutifolius), a type of dry bean, were developed by the native people of the Southwest, so they’re well-adapted to desert conditions. They come in various colors. See also: Tepary Beans: The Bean That Laughs at Drought and Ask Our Experts: Tepary Beans. Growth period: 80 to 90 days.

When to Plant Beans

Bean seeds germinate best when soil temperatures range between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In spring, sow seeds in fertile, well-worked soil starting on or after your last frost date. When growing fast-maturing bush snap beans, make additional plantings at three-week intervals until midsummer.

How to Plant Beans

Prepare the planting bed by using a garden fork to loosen the soil. Mix in a 1-inch layer of mature compost. Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 2 to 4 inches apart. Thin bush beans to 4 inches apart; thin pole beans to 6 inches apart. Wide double rows (two parallel rows of beans planted 12 to 14 inches apart) are the most space-efficient way to grow beans.

Harvesting and Storing Beans

Harvest green beans when they are young and tender, and use two hands when picking to keep from breaking the brittle plants. Most bush beans will produce a second or third flush of beans after the first one is picked. Harvest pole beans at least twice a week to keep the plants productive. The mature beans of all snap bean varieties usually make good soup beans.

Allow dry beans to stay on the plants until the pods turn tan and the beans inside show good color and a hard, glossy surface. If damp weather sets in just when your beans should be drying, pull up the plants and hang them in a dry place until they are dry enough to shell and sort. Allow your shelled beans to dry at room temperature for two weeks before storing them in airtight containers. If you think insects might be present in your stored beans, keep them in the freezer.

Saving Bean Seeds

To save dry beans for replanting, select the largest, most perfect seeds from your stored beans. With snap beans, it is best not to harvest beans from plants grown for seed production. That way, the plants will channel all their energy into big seeds that will grow into big seedlings. Be patient, because snap bean varieties that have been bred to stay tender for a long time are often slow to develop mature seeds. Under good conditions, bean seeds will store for at least three years. A packet will plant about 25 feet of row, which should produce 20 to 30 pounds of bush snap beans, or 40 pounds or more of pole beans. Expect about 1 1⁄2 pounds of dry beans from a 25-foot row.

Preventing Bean Pests and Diseases

Brick-colored Mexican bean beetles sporting black spots often lay clusters of yellow eggs on leaves, which hatch into yellow larvae that rasp tissues from leaves. Handpick this pest in all life stages, and try spraying neem oil to control light infestations. In large plantings of more than one-fourth of an acre, releasing beneficial Pediobus wasps is a worthwhile strategy.

Beans grown in sites that recently supported grasses are often sabotaged by night-feeding cutworms. Diatomaceous earth sprinkled over the soil’s surface can help reduce losses.

Several fungal and bacterial diseases cause dark spots and patches to form on bean leaves. To keep from spreading diseases among plants, avoid working in your bean patch when foliage is wet.

Promptly cut down and compost plants that are past their prime to interrupt the life cycles of pests and diseases.

Bean Growing Tips

Extend your harvest of bush snap beans by planting them two or three times, with each sowing three weeks apart. In warm climates, make a sowing in late summer, about 10 weeks before your first fall frost is expected.

Grow more beans in less space by growing pole varieties, which produce more per square foot by making good use of vertical growing space. Tall bamboo poles or saplings make easy tripods to support pole varieties.

Be stingy with fertilizer. Beans benefit from fertile soil with a slightly acid pH (between 6.0 and 6.5), but once they are up and growing, beans make most of the nitrogen they need (which they use to nurture their crop of seeds). When growing beans in a new garden site, inoculating seeds with nitrogen-fixing bacteria before planting can help kick-start this process. Even simpler, scatter a few spadefuls of soil from last year’s bean patch into new planting sites.

Use bush beans as a cover crop in warm summer weather. You can turn the plants under, or pull them up and compost them.

In the Kitchen: Cooking Beans

Kids of all ages love to munch garden-fresh green beans, especially sweet and tender filet types. Extra green beans are easy to blanch and freeze, and rehydrated dried snap beans taste almost as good as fresh ones. Gather some of your soup beans at the mature green stage to use in succotash and other summer dishes, and dry the rest for winter. Green beans are a good source of fiber and vitamins A and C, while dry beans are rich in B vitamins and minerals. Team up beans with grains (such as rice or corn) to get prime protein from both foods, as beans and grains contain complementary essential amino acids.

View our sitemap

Read More