-SCIENTIFIC NAME: Phaseolus vulgaris

CULTURE: Direct sow seeds from mid-October until early January at 2.5cm deep, in full sun and well drained fertile, pH neutral soil. Add lime if soil is too acid. Space 5-10cm apart in rows 40cm to 1.2m apart after frosts when soil temperature exceeds 16°C. If using poles, plant 4 seeds at the base of each pole. Inoculants can increase yields

LARGE PLANTINGS: Sow a single row of seeds on open ground or through fabric mulch. Sow 3 seeds/hole, 20cm between holes. For large trellised plantings, place fence posts 20-25cm apart, and support a 9-gauge galvanized wire at the top. With twine, lash trellis netting to the wire (or zigzag our natural sisal trellis twine between the top wire and a bottom twine). Anchor bottom of trellis netting with stakes or hoops of 9-gauge wire

DISEASES: Plough under or remove and compost bean straw in the fall to hasten destruction of most disease organisms. For sclerotinia white mold control, plant at wider row spacing to promote drying of plant leaves and soil. Practice a 3-year crop rotation, preferably into corn or grain crops

HARVEST: Harvesting regularly will increase overall production. Pick once or twice weekly to encourage ongoing cropping

STORAGE: Store at 5°C and 90% relative humidity for 7–10 days

AVG. SEEDING RATE: 250 seeds/20m; 500 seeds/40m; 1000/ 80m

SEED SPECS: Avg 3,300 seeds/kg