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Legumes - Best varieties for you Zone
Peas, Beans, and a Bounty of Protein
Legumes are easy to grow, nutrient-rich, and a staple in your home garden. From early spring peas to summer beans, they add variety, nutrition, and fun for both gardener and critter alike.
True story;
I bought two packages of "snow peas" to grow for future seeds. They grew beautifully and I left them on vine to dry to maturity. Came back one day to check and their pods were just turning golden brown. Reminded myself that next time I was in the garden to pick them. I did come back, but all of my peas were gone. I was tempted to find the critter and pull out all of their little teeth as well. :)
Peas: ‘Sugar Snap’, ‘Snow Pea’
Bush Beans: ‘Provider’, ‘Contender’
Pole Beans: ‘Blue Lake’, ‘Kentucky Wonder’
Peas: 1-2 inches apart, rows 18-24 inches
Bush Beans: 2-4 inches apart, rows 24-36 inches
Pole Beans: 4-6 inches apart, provide trellis or support
Keep soil consistently moist, especially during flowering. Legumes fix their own nitrogen, so minimal fertilization is needed; side-dress lightly with compost if desired.
Pick peas when pods are full but still tender. Beans should be harvested when young and tender. Store peas and beans in the fridge up to a week, or blanch and freeze for longer storage.
| Crop | Days to Maturity | Spacing |
|---|---|---|
| Peas | 60-70 | 1-2 inches |
| Bush Beans | 50-60 | 2-4 inches |
| Pole Beans | 60-75 | 4-6 inches + support |
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