I don't know if this makes a difference or not but when I'm not direct seeding in the garden I use a soilless mix (Sunshine mix #4) to start my bean seed, no added fertilizer until they're planted out, then if they're lucky they might get a bit liquid fish or seaweed to get them started, very seldom do I fertilize again unless I see a problem. All my container plants inside and out I use the same Sunshine mix #4. My house plants growing in this mix do get a bit of fertilizer once or twice a year, so far this has been working for me. Annette

I was just thinking of this thread today and chuckling at how much I want to ask about beans. I told myself to just be patient and see what comes but then I saw your posts and figured I'd ask anyways. I thought I was going to pull my bush beans today, they've been cleared of beans for about a week now, but when I went to do it there were more flowers, will they still get another round of beans? My bush beans did way better than my pole beans so far but I've just started harvesting the poles where as I've been harvesting the bush since early august. I am hoping they are just late starters and will continue for awhile or is it more likely that the poles are mostly all at once and pretty much done? What about those missed larger beans? They seem pretty tough. Should I just cook them up, throw them or would pickling make them more edible? Stellar year for tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplants and greens here :) Not so great for zuchinni, cukes, artichokes or my first year of onions :( How's your season been?

I wintersowed some and about a week ago started some indoors just in case, but I think I may be crazy to have started too soon! I was not aware they grew so fast. I soaked in warm water overnight and then potted them up in yogurt containers...what in the world was I thinking! Within a week the stem and un-opened bean minus the outer shell popped up and they are growing before my very eyes...within a few days the leaves should break thru. I'll no doubt have to transfer to bigger and deeper containers. They are soooo fun to watch :) The wintersown ones have broken thru the shell, but the stems have not come above the soil as yet... they have remained that way now for going on a month just waiting for the nice weather to come. Vera

Well, think in terms of about 6-10 seeds per pod, and about 3 or 4 seed desirable large pods per plant. Only save from the biggest pods!