Black Beans
Black beans are packed with fiber, protein, and antioxidants and are wonderful additions to various Mexican dishes, salads, and stir-frys. They are also super productive: a single plant can produce up to 36 pods, each holding 6 to 8 beans. They generally take about 10 to 14 days to germinate and 100 to 140 days to grow to maturity.
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Timing:
Plant black beans after the last frost date, which, on the West Coast, is around Mid-April to Mid-May. Sowing: Black beans do not like to be transplanted so they grow best when sown directly in the garden. To help the seeds germinate, soak them overnight before planting. Plant seeds 2-5 centimeters deep and space each seed anywhere between 20 to 45 centimeters apart. Growing: Though it is not mandatory, it is very beneficial to the growth of the plant to mix a product called inoculant with the soil prior to planting. Inoculant is a natural product that comes in powdered form that can help black bean grow significantly sturdier. You should be able to find this product at your local gardening store. Aim to water black beans regularly, but make sure that they receive full sunlight so that their roots are not constantly soaking in wet soil. Vine support: Black beans grow to several feet in height so their vines will need support. Set up trellis, grids, or poles for the plant to climb on before, or as soon as, the seeds start to germinate to avoid having to disturb the roots later on. You may have to tie vines to the supports if they don't grip supports naturally. |