Due to the fact that keen growers are always looking for something extra from their plants and gardens, Legumes(beans and peas) are an ideal choice. The main reason for growing them is obviously the vast amount of vegetables you get from just one plant. However, they produce numerous amounts of flowers beforehand giving a fantastic display of colour and due to the amount of growth produced in one season can be used as natural camouflage to cover up any unsightly areas, like the ever increasing collection of wheely bins for example.

There are many different types of beans and peas to choose from, so it is important to pick the right one for the space available to ensure you get the optimum yield from whichever plant you choose to grow without it taking over your whole garden. This requires you to do research on the varieties out there, by reading the seed packets or catalogues carefully. You could also ask other people what varieties they have had luck with and enjoyed growing.

When it comes to sowing beans the technique is basically the same for all types. Most, if not all, varieties say they should be sown directly into the ground where you want them to grow. This however isn’t always the best way to do it as it can give quite haphazard results due to the changing temperature and moisture content of the soil. This year is a prime example of the problems associated with outdoor sowing because normally the best time for sowing the majority of seeds is Springtime, mid to late April, as the soil is starting to heat up, but not this time. Therefor, I think the most reliable way to grow them is by sowing in pots indoors first. You don’t have to have a greenhouse to do this, a windowsill works just as well. Put 2 seeds into each pot to ensure at least one of them grows, if they both survive you will have a bushier plant when planted out. It is best to use pots that are about 4.5 inches to produce decent sized plants. The only problem at this stage is mice as they like to eat the seeds, so keep them covered at night. Once they are established plants you have to remember to harden them off for at least a week prior to planting so they don’t get too much of a shock from the difference in temperatures and conditions. Nowadays people are choosing to grow peas in the same way, indoor sowing can help to combat the problem of Pea Beetle as it attacks the emerging seedlings until they reach about two inches.

With beans and peas it is important to provide them with the support they need depending on their final growing height. Successful results are best achieved using the wigwam style made with canes for beans and pea nets for peas. It is also necessary to ensure the plants are well watered, especially during dry spells, to prevent the plants and pods from drying out and turning yellowy brown.

It is also important to keep picking the pods once they have formed to make sure the plants keep producing more and more and don’t become tired.

Finally, it is important to make sure you enjoy the fresh beans and peas at their best. The best way to do this is eat them straight after cropping. If you have too many though freezing them is the next best thing as the nutrients and freshness are locked in. Drying out beans and peas by hanging the pods up indoors to fully ripen is another good way of keeping the excess crops. These can be used as pulses for soups or stews.

Susan Boyd