Dig is right, guys around here have just gotten to planting soybeans, and some fields are as much along as 2 weeks, but that's the earliest beans for us this year. Beans don't like wet feet (soggy soil for long periods) and they won't tolerate frost or cold temps. So most people wait until conditions are better than the cruel April to plant beans. For higher bean yields try an inoculant. It's not necessary, but it is said to help dramatically. All legumes fix their nitrogen through the air, like dave said, beans have nodules on their roots where a couple different types of bacteria can "invade" the roots, and convert atmospheric N to a form of ammonia that the plant can use. I haven't used one yet, mostly because I'm afraid that I'd be up to my neck in green beans, but I'm gonna try it next year. I planted my beans 2 weeks ago, and they are just sort of plodding along.

I am eager to read the answer to this as well. A tutorial would be excellent, and much appreciated. I, too, am inexperienced pruning-wise, and am not sure about terms like back budding. Also, I am confused when instructions mention the stem and the branches, as my ficus lyratas have only stems and leaves, as far as I can see. Thanks in advance!

Please let me know the best way to have this plant grow quickly and dense/bushy. ==>> leave it alone for 1 to 3 years ... and then start shaping it into what you want .. every leaf is a food making machine.. and the plant needs to grow the root mass.. to grow the plant you want ... with the grass looking as it does.. i would NEVER feed them ... but the stuff you have.. is so benign.. a LITTLE of it wont hurt them ... your only problem here.. that i see ... is your wish for instant gratification ... you need to wrap your head around shrub or plant time.. and give them time.. to grow the roots you will never see ... just water properly ..see link you planted a bit close to the fence ... i wouldnt mind taking a few branches that start going thru the fence ... earlier than i mentioned above ... i suppose the time frame may be faster in FL.. since you have a long.. if not year round growing season .. but you still have to be patient .... proper .. deep.. in frequent watering is the key ... insert finger and find out how your watering protocol works in your soil ... ken https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

Your Senecio needs more light. Your plant will not shrink back. I would suggest cleaning it up. When spring comes cut all the spindly etiolated parts off. You can break pieces off if too long. Just stick those pieces back into soil. Eventually roots will form.Might be a good idea to take it out of pot to inspect the roots. If everything looks fine repot in a fast draining mix. I suggest getting some perlite or pumice. Do a mixture of 50% perlite or pumice and 50% C&S soil. Now when it comes to light you will probably always have this problem, unless you get supplemental lighting during the cooler months. I don't use lights so can't help ya there. Would be a good idea if every once in awhile you start to see your plant reaching for the window to give it a turn. So the plant can get light on all sides. Hope that helped. Goodluck:). ps- I love the snow in the background:).