Garbanzo Beans
Hummus, anyone? Garbanzo beans are the main ingredient in hummus and a staple part of any vegetarian or vegan diet. Also known as chick peas, Garbanzo beans are fabulous on salads and make a simple, but delicious roasted snack. These beans are also excellent for sprouts.
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Beans prefer full sun and will produce more pods if receiving at least 6-8 hours of sun per day. Direct seed in spring when soil temperature has reached 65-75F.
Plant bush beans 1 - 1.5 inches deep and 2.5 - 3 feet apart. Plant pole beans 1 inch deep and 3 - 4 inches apart.
Consistent watering is vital as yield will be reduced if inconsistent watering occurs.
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If planting for storage, plant many plants at once, as light red kidney beans will produce a large crop ready for harvest, then die. Plant successively, every 10 days (about 1 and a half weeks), for a continual harvest throughout the season. Prepare garden bed with fertilizer prior to direct seeding, then again at the first sight of flowers.
Beans will be ready to harvest about 60-75 days (about 2 and a half months), depending on the variety. Pick beans frequently, as they become ready, to encourage continued production. Beans should be picked prior to becoming too large, before the shape of the bean can be seen through the pod. When the pods still snap.
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Most bean varieties are susceptible to a wide range of insects and beetles. Larger animals, such as rodents and rabbits, may also pose a threat to your crop.
For use as a dried bean, allow the bean to mature on the vine for a few weeks after the harvest period. The entire plant can be pulled and the beans shelled over a container.