I guess that depends on what type they are. If they are stocky enough to stand up on their own and be OK I'd just write something simple like 'Take me home, place in a pot with soil in a sunny place, water and watch me grow!' on the back of the tag make sure you say that it is an edible green bean - 60 days to harvest. Leave it at that. Putting too much info will make people nervous. If they think it's hard to take care of it might just get thrown away. KWIM? I can't tell you how many times I brought home sunflowers or corn starts only to have my Mother throw them out or not take care of them. LOL. Barbie

I was thinking it might be good to plant the same bean in the same place to take advantage of the root nodule bacteria which remain in the soil. Wouldn't that be better, not to mention cheaper, than using innoculent? Mexican bean beetles, my major pest, will overwinter in garden debris, but they move around and find my beans anyway. They will always need to be controlled. I doubt that crop rotation will help with that. Jim

Annette, the desired outcome that you describe did seem to happen with my favas. I originally purchased Windsor favas from a seed company much farther north than my gardening location. The first year they were limping along, not very productive and prone to infestation from aphids. I was not able to eat many of them but I saved seed from the best specimens. The second year they were vigorous, productive, and the aphids were controlled. This third year they are sprouting out of the ground like they are in a rush. I am also trying two more fava varieties that might be even better adapted to zone 9. A counter example of this was my yard long cow peas. I got them in a trade from a z9ner, they sprouted and did well last year, so I saved seed. This year they gave me a total of 6 beans, and they look like they want to die. The plants started well and looked good, but we have had an unusually cool summer, not enough integrated heat to grow any cow pea. I love the pink-eye purple hulls, but not so much the yard longs, so I am giving up on them. Good thing, since I will not even be able to save seed for it.

Isn't it nice to have something that is thriving after this weather. I am going to try it again. I had it before and it reseeded one year. I did plant it this year but got busy and did not care for the small plant. It never got going. This time of year is good for taking notes. I noticed in the park that the gomphrena and lantana were holding up well. My four o clocks are still going strong with no added water.