Phaseolus vulgaris – Green Beans

Green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are a staple in many vegetable gardens and kitchens because they are easy to grow, enrich the soil, contribute to flavorful recipes, and are a nutritious addition to your diet. Also known as snap beans, string beans, pole beans, and bush beans, green beans are tender annuals grown for their flavorful fruits.

• Green beans belong to the plant family, Fabaceae, also known as the legume, pea, or bean family, which includes lentils, chickpeas, peas, and peanuts.
• Although often considered a vegetable, beans are botanically classified as a fruit, as they grow from a flowering plant and contain seeds.
• Green beans are native to Central and South America and have been cultivated for thousands of years. Today, they grow all over the world.
• Unlike many other varieties of beans, green beans are harvested and eaten with their pods before the bean seeds inside have fully matured.
• Green beans are divided by growth habit into two major groups: bush beans (dwarf) and pole beans (climbing).
• Green beans can be bought fresh, canned, or frozen. They can be consumed raw or steamed, boiled, stir-fried, or baked.
• Although most green beans are green, they also come in cream, yellow and purple varieties.
• Green beans fix nitrogen and add nutrients that improve the soil, benefitting the plants that are growing beside them. Beans are great for heavy nitrogen users.

Bush Beans or Pole Beans – Which One Should You Grow?

Bush Beans