Bean Woes

Bean leaf beetles are pests that can chew holes in the leaves, but placing a light “floating” row cover (available at garden centers) over the plants can prevent damage. When I head into the garden, I take a bag for harvesting and a pail filled with a few inches of sudsy water (a few drops of dish soap does the trick). I knock the beetles into the pail to get rid of them.

Bacterial leaf blight also can be a problem as well, but breeders have developed several disease-resistant types of beans. You can avoid leaf blight by leaving space between rows for air circulation. More important, don’t work around plants when their leaves are wet as this could spread the bacteria from one plant to another.

Beans are also subject to soil-borne diseases. If you have the space, grow beans in a different part of the garden each year to avoid the spread of disease. If you have leftover seeds this fall, save them for next spring. Bean seeds tend to last for two or three years.

Where to Find Beans

Look for bean seeds at most garden centers. For heirloom and newer disease-resistant varieties, here are a few mail-order sources:

John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds, search for www.kitchengardenseeds.com

Johnny’s Selected Seeds, www.johnnyseeds.com

Seed Savers Exchange, www.seedsavers.org

Seeds of Change, www.seedsofchange.com

Territorial Seed Co., www.territorialseed.com

Vermont Bean and Seed Co., www.vermontbean.com