Beans

Snap beans are also referred to as such because when they're fresh, they snap in pieces easily. The beans are either "bush" or "pole" depending on how they are grown; with or without the support of a pole. Snap beans are very productive. You can expect about 15 pounds of bush beans from a narrow, single 30-foot-long row or 40 to 50 pounds from a 30-foot-long rake-width row. Bush beans require less work planting, staking, weeding and watering and will also produce most of their crop at once.

Green Bean versus Wax Bean

Green and yellow beans taste very similar, although yellow beans have a slightly milder flavor.

Nutrition - raw green beans

Nutrition - raw yellow snap beans

Planting

Bush beans grow best in well drained, organic material rich soil. They need full sun and 2-3 inches of water a week. Adding bean inoculants to the soil will help reap a bigger crop. Plant bush bean seeds about 1 1/2 inches deep and 3 inches apart. If you are planting more than one row of bush beans, the rows should be 18 to 24 inches apart. You can expect the bush beans to germinate in about 1-2 weeks. Plant new seeds ~every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest during the season.

Harvest and Storage

The pod is ready to harvest once it reaches a length of four to seven inches long and the diameter is a little fatter than a pencil. Some varieties grow much quicker than others so always refer back to the seed packet for information on your specific variety. Once you have found a green bean you want to harvest, simply grasp it firmly up near the top where it connects to the vine and pop it loose. Store unwashed fresh beans in a reusable container or plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper

Green and Wax Bean Salad

15 minutes Serves 4 Recipe URL: http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014955-green-and-wax-bean-salad-with-tomato-vinaigrette