We all know that organic food is better for you. Not only are organically grown vegetables healthier for you because they haven’t been fertilized with harsh chemicals, but they even taste better! Now granted, some veggies are harder to grow than others, and sometimes it’s just easier to purchase them at your local Farmer’s Market or pick them up in the organic vegetable section at your local grocery store, but many vegetables can be grown pretty easily in your own garden–at a fraction of the cost you would pay to purchase them! One of these vegetables is green beans, and following are some tips on how to have a successful harvest. 
Easy To Grow:
Green beans tend to like “virgin” soil. Try not to plant them in old, used-up soil. Of course, this is a good rule of thumb for any type of planting, but green beans are especially sensitive to their surrounding soil. Fresh, fertile soil will yield healthy, tasty green beans. Wait until the last of the year’s frost has come and gone, and try not to plant until the soil’s temperature is at a steady 65-70 degrees or higher. Plant your seeds one inch down and 3 inches apart, covering the seeds with fertile soil. If planting multiple rows, make sure the rows are 2.5 feet apart.
Green beans thrive best in well-drained, well-fertilized soil. They like their soil moist (not wet!) at all times–don’t let the soil get dry! Water them at least once a week, especially during very dry times, and be sure to water the base of the plant, not the top of the plant. By watering the roots, and not the top of your green beans, some experts say this will help cut down on blossom drop. Fertilizing your soil before planting it is usually the best method–remember, green beans like very fertile soil. You’ll want to continue to feed your green beans throughout their growing season with 10-20-10 (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), following the directions provided.
Easier To Harvest:
Keeping an eye on your green bean’s growth is vital to harvesting at the correct time. You don’t want to wait too long. Harvest your green beans once they’re plump but before you notice them bulging. Test them by picking off a few pods and breaking them in half. If your hear a crisp snap, you know they’re ready! Now, don’t yank the pods off the plant, Be gentle and tug lightly. Pick when the plants are dry, not wet, as you can damage the plant more easily if if it’s wet. If the pods don’t come off easily, hold the plant with one hand, and break the pod off with the other.
Easiest To Enjoy:
Once your green beans are picked, it’s time to enjoy them! Fresh green beans can be used in many side dish recipes. Green bean casserole is classic. Steamed green beans with mushrooms and water chestnuts is another. A new trend in green bean cooking is fried green bean strings. They’re like potato french fries–but they’re green beans! Of course, steamed green beans with a bit of butter ans salt to taste is always a simple stand-by for any meal. For more recipes using fresh green beans, here’s a great website: http://southernfood.about.com/od/greenbeans/Green_Bean_Recipes.htm. Take care, and happy gardening!
