skip to main content

Beans, Peas & Legumes

Legume season just beginning in the Southern Hemisphere

15 years ago

Hi all,

I just thought I'd pop in and post some pictures of my beans which are growing quite well here in our southern spring! This is only my second year growing veggies so this is not an expert's garden by any means.

There's fruit setting on all my bush beans (which I planted mostly to occupy space between slower-growing crops- I'll probably pull them all once the first flush of beans is done), and the pole beans are racing for the heavens but haven't set fruit yet.

There's Windsor Long Pod bush beans, plus Purple King & Blue Lake pole beans.

Windsor Long Pod flowers on the bush

Windsor Long Pod beans developing from the flowers

Blue Lake & Purple King vines racing up the trellis. They grow so fast, I love watching them race each other to the top!

I'm growing these varieties because I had seed left over from last year, and a friend gave me the "Windsor Long Pod" seeds for my birthday.

I've also just added three types I've just acquired seed for: bush-type soy beans, a bush-type called "Sex Without Strings", and a pole snake bean. I'm hoping I haven't left it too late for them to grow- it's mid-spring here now.

I like reading all your reports on your bean varieties, I will try to expand my varieties next year (although the beans will have to compete with the tomatoes for my limited garden-space!).

I have planted some of my beans in the same row as my cucumbers as I read somewhere that they made good companions- they're sharing a solid metal trellis. Has anyone else tried this? Do you ever inter-plant beans with other plants to expand your available 'bean-planting' space without knocking out other veggies you want to grow as well?

Cheers,

Slashy

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Macmex
15 years ago
Very nice pictures Slashy! We only just recently had our first killing frost, here in Oklahoma, and I'm already wishing I could plant again.

I have never tried planting cucumbers and beans together. It will be good to hear how this works for you. The only inter-planting I've tried, with beans, is beans with corn. However, I've heard of growing beans with sunflowers. Success with these combinations largely depends on timing. If planted too soon, the beans smother the companion plant. If planted too late, the companion plant out competes the beans.

George
cabrita
15 years ago
Nice pictures Slashy!

When you take the beans out (after they are done) just cut the root, do not pull the root out, and till the root into the soil for added nitrogen nodules.

I have small spaces too and we try to grow enough food for two. I have planted the following combinations:
Beans and corn
Beans and sunflowers
Beans and carrots (pole beans were supported on a pot)
beans and tomatoes
beans and greens (cole crops)

I have also done tomatoes and cucumbers. Also, there were some cucumbers growing with the corn, sunflowers and beans in a patch.

Just avoid: beans and alliums (garlic, onions, chives).

Good luck!
Related Discussions
Rose season begins in my North Carolina garden
Q
Comments (54)
Thank you, Sheila. We used to be able to post pictures to the ARF right from our Flickr accounts. But, of course, if you delete your photo storage account, any communication that might still exist between the two sites is lost! I still visit the "Antique Rose Forum" from time to time, esp. during the cold winter months when I need a pick me up. I don't post much any more. I do love my gardens and my roses and have had many triumphs as well as disasters over the past five years since I did these postings in 2013. Disaster 1: I now have numerous roses that are 15 feet tall/long. 20 feet tall. And even taller and even longer. And I now realize that, although the idea of giant roses seemed romantic when they were 3 feet tall, they have created a variety of problems in my garden and I am in the process of getting rid of all my monsters except a couple of my most favorite. Disaster 2: I have hundreds of roses. From almost every class. And I have lost track of what I have and what I have lost. Disaster 3: Invasive plants: Japanese anemones. Mexican primrose. Salvia. 4 o'clocks. Sweet violet. Blue globe flower. Black-eyed Susan. And even morning glory. I find poison ivy/oak sprouting in my pots, I invite you to imagine my garden plots. Disaster 4: Thrips. And, though, I love every single one of my roses, even those I am culling, I have found after growing so many, that above all, I love my David Austin roses most. Here are some photos from this year's garden. They may not be great since they were taken with my phone. Best of luck to you in your garden. May it bring you joy and very few disasters.
...See More
Northern/Southern Hemisphere
Q
Comments (5)
Then why don't mine work that way? My Crassulaceae from Africa flower Nov. Dec. trough May, in Africa they flower from June through December. This I have proof of, I have been getting the African Journal, as well as the British Journal, my San. are starting to flower again, while Africa's are shuting down. East coast is different than West coast just like here. Mountain plants if cold are going to sleep except for Winter growing plant like Semps. I don't know how yours grow and can only respond how mine grow in So. Calif zone 10. Yes when are days are longer in the summer, Africa's days are shorter at the same time and in rains, and they grow when it rains and store water for the months it doesn't rain, Nov. through May. You are right Africa has less light during June through December, and we have less light Oct through May, light does make the difference no matter what months it comes in, plants don't know months, they do not adjust that rapidily, I have had and grown Crassulacea and other species of African plants and they have not adjusted yet. How long should I wait? I was in Africa Nov. 9 and found Crassla barbata (red flower) in full flower, it was not in flower here and didn't flower until Feb. March. Norma
...See More
2009 Bloom season begins......
Q
Comments (19)
jkayd_il5: glad you enjoy my photos. I'll be posting more as they bloom for me this season. Kathy: Yep, I knew when you started posting photos that mine wouldn't be far behind. I'm pleased with the FFO on AB, just hope the scapes grow up a bit more. :) Ann: Looks as though AB was pretty popular. I think you'll be pleased with it. Bill is very generous isn't he? Rick: Well, I'm not surprised with your potted dl's. You always have good luck with your method. Can't wait till you start posting your beautiful photos. Rita: Thanks Hon, I'll post more when I have them. Should be getting lots of blooms shortly. greenthumbfish: Thanks :) Chris: Thanks. :) I think maybe there was a mistake on the description. None of the photos I've seen of it look orange at all. Julia: LOL..I'll have to wait for more blooms. Got lots of scapes but nothing else blooming except Cosmic Hummingbird which I didn't get an opportunity to make a photo of today. Kay: I love it too, and I think you'll be very pleased with yours. Be sure to post a photo when it blooms. Jan
...See More
Cymbidium Time, Southern Hemisphere
Q
Comments (7)
Very pretty pictures Arthur. I just ordered a miniature cymbidium from one of your Aussie growers. I think it's FS. But, I'm thinking the poor plant might be so traumatized by the flip-flop of seasons that it might pout forever! We'll see, it was a bargain plant that I just couldn't resist. Sheila :)
...See More
slashy
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi, glad you liked the pictures!

I put my beans in as seeds at the same time as I was transplanting my cucumber seedlings, which were at the 2nd true leaf stage. This seems to have worked out pretty well for timing, as both beans & cucumber vines are happily climbing the trellis provided. The only problem seems to be that one of my zucchini plants is trying to shade out the entire cucumber/bean row, but I'm just going to keep hacking those huge zucchini leaves back until the cucumbers & beans are taller than the reach of the zucchini plant. I will try to get some photos of my mixed cucumber-bean row as the season goes on.

A lot of my pole beans are growing at the back of a greens & salad plot, and it certainly looks like a happy combination- the lettuce seems to love the extra nitrogen from the beans!

Thanks for the tip about leaving the roots in the ground. That's what I've done in the past with my legume plants, just cut them off at ground-level and composted the top halves. I shouldn't have said I'd 'pull' the bush beans when they were done, that wasn't really what I meant at all.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Southern California Gardener's October Checklist

By Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Get planting happy this month — so many natives, bulbs, cool-season flowers and vegetable crops to choose from, so little time ...

INSPIRING GARDENS Native Plants Bring 10 Southern California Front-Yard Gardens to Life

By Annie Thornton

Rare plants, rain gardens and wildlife habitats are just a few of the features showcased on the 2016 Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour

GARDENING GUIDES Southern California Gardener's September Checklist

By Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Before prime planting time, clean out the old garden, prepare for the new, and dream up ideas for fall flowers and veggies

0

TREES Great Design Plant: Southern Live Oak Offers an Unbeatable Canopy

By Falon Mihalic

Keep it dense or prune it for more light. No matter how you grow Quercus virginiana, it’s a majestic addition to its native landscape

MY HOUZZ My Houzz: Goal of a Net-Zero Nest in Southern California

By Bonnie McCarthy

A Long Beach family focuses on energy efficiency in remodeling their 1957 ranch house

GREEN BUILDING Insulation Basics: Designing for Temperature Extremes in Any Season

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Stay comfy during unpredictable weather — and prevent unexpected bills — by efficiently insulating and shading your home

Guest Picks: Winter (Yes, Winter) Warmers

By Atypical Type A

For folks in the Southern Hemisphere, July is right in the heart of winter. Warm up with 20 ways to make your home as cozy as can be

ARCHITECTURE 4 Modern New Zealand Homes Embrace Land and Sea

Journey to the southern hemisphere to see an architect's unique way of addressing the region's topography and waterside views

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Cold-Hardy Succulents for Cool-Season Interest

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

These attractive plants shrug off colder temperatures, and many can be brought inside in containers in extra-chilly climates

FALL AND THANKSGIVING Simple Pleasures: Celebrate Fall With These Special Traditions

By Laura Gaskill

Enjoy a meaningful autumn with seasonal ideas for decorating, cooking and entertaining

Sponsored