Plant now for a fall crop of beans.

Plant now for a fall crop of green beans
Homegrown beans are second only to tomatoes in popularity in home gardens. Now is the time to plant a fall crop of green beans, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
According to Lala Kumar, the best time to plant beans varies across the state:
–Northern Missouri: July 25-Aug. 5
–Central Missouri: July 25-Aug. 10
–Southern Missouri: Aug. 1-20
Green beans were once known as string beans because of the fiber that develops along the seams of the pods. Plant breeders have reduced these fibers through selection and green beans now are commonly known as snap beans.
There are two main types of snap beans: bush snap beans and pole snap beans. "Bush snap beans stand erect without support, mature early, yield well and require the least amount of work," Kumar said. "Pole snap beans climb a support, are easily harvested and can produce a lot of beans in very little space."
There are many snap bean cultivars available to the home gardener. Recommended cultivars include
–Bush snap beans: Contender, Provider, Jade, Strike and Tema
–Pole snap beans: Blue Lake and Kentucky Wonder
In addition, open-pollinated, heirloom (old) cultivars are available in many nurseries.
Snap beans grow best when they receive full sunshine. The plant grows in many different soil types, but a deep, loamy soil, well-drained and supplied with organic matter and nutrients, is most suitable, Kumar said.
Optimum soil pH for snap beans is 6.0-6.8. If your garden soil is high in clay and low in organic matter, Kumar recommends applying an inch-thick layer of organic matter (compost, manure, etc.) to the garden soil every year. Soil tests are available at your local Extension center.
In the absence of a soil test, the general fertilizer recommendation for snap beans is to apply 5-10-10, 10-10-10 or similar fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet. Work fertilizer thoroughly into the upper 6 inches of soil before planting snap beans. Heavy application of compost or fertilizers high in nitrogen may induce a large amount of vine or bush growth but often delays maturity and reduces yield.
The recommended depth of planting all varieties is 1 inch. Plant seeds of bush beans 3 inches apart with at least 24 inches between rows. Plant seeds of pole beans 5 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart, or in hills (four to six seeds per hill, with 30 inches between hills and 30 inches between rows).
Beans have shallow roots and require frequent shallow cultivation and hoeing to control small weeds and grasses. Use mulches to avoid a lot of hoeing and hand weeding. Give beans at least 1 inch of water per week during the growing season. Flowering and fruiting time is a critical period for watering. Avoid getting water on the leaves because this may promote disease. Beans are sensitive to hot, dry weather; affected plants frequently lose flowers and pods.
Harvest when the pods are firm, crisp and fully elongated, but before the seeds within the pods have developed significantly, Kumar said. On average, pick snap beans every four to six days. A few old pods left on a plant will greatly reduce the set of new pods.
For more information, call your local Extension office or visit http://extension.missouri.edu/.