Beans are such popular garden plants gardeners grow. This is because they are easy to grow, they are vigorous, and would make a ton of tasty produce you can use in a lot of recipes. Begin and expert gardeners won’t get wrong with beans!
However, there are so many different types of beans to grow, so it has you confused over what you should be getting. Read on as I show you a quick guide on the types of beans to grow in your garden!
Different Types of Beans to Grow
Yes, there are a ton of different types of beans to grow, some of them more suitable than the others, depending on your situation. Here are the ones to look into:
1. Green Beans
These types of beans are described as vegetable beans since you collect them while they are young, and they are usually served in vegetable dishes. You can eat the entire pod, provided that it is cooked well.
These types of beans are rich in potassium and best for those who would like to lose weight. They reduce water retention while aids in lowering blood pressure. BUT, they have high oxalate levels, which may result in arthritis or gout. Just like any type of food, these beans should be eaten in moderation and you can reap the benefits it offers, including the consumption of antioxidants and vitamins A and C!
2. Dried Beans
Dry beans, as the name suggests, are dry and ripe, considered as legumes rather than vegetables as you can eat them alone. These are rich in protein but would have more calories compared to green beans.
These beans are low in fat but high in sugars, low in sodium but high in potassium. They would also have more fiber and minerals than green beans, being rich in folate. BUT, they offer fewer antioxidants and vitamin C content compared to green beans.
3. Pole Beans
Pole beans are climbing beans requiring support because of the vines. If you’ll grow these bean types, you’ll need smaller footprint as it won’t take too much space in the garden. However, you’ll need to maintain this plant regularly for better produce results.
4. Bush Beans
As the name suggests, bush beans are considered bush. They are very easy to plant and much easier to do so compared to pole beans as they can survive just about anywhere. They are low-maintenance plants but unlike climbing beans, they will require more space in the garden.
5. Black Beans
These types of beans are sweet, though you will mostly taste an earthy and velvety flavor. You’ll love to add black beans to salads, soups, or stews. These beans are dry beans you can grow via bush or pole.
6. Black Eyed Peas
These aren’t the infamous music band we all know and love! Black eyes peas are plump little seeds with a black spot right in the middle. These are dry beans that are rich in folate.
You can plant these using a trellis or allow them to grow out to a bush bean.
7. Kidney Beans
Kidney beans are shaped like, you guess it, kidneys! They come in either red or white colors, being meaty but tasting bland. However, they do go amazingly in chili dogs or stews. You can cultivate this dry bean through a bush or pole.
8. Garbanzo Beans
Garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas, are one of the most commonly grown and eaten beans! These are one of the easiest beans beginner gardeners can grow, featuring a round shape and nutty flavor that’s suitable in just about anything. You can use them in soups and stews or even roast them as a lone snack.
Chickpeas are a staple food and ingredient in various parts of the world, which is why many people chose to cultivate this dry and bush bean.
9. Pinto Beans
Pinto beans are dried beans that can be a bit related to kidney beans. They have earthy flavors working well in Mexican cuisine, used in dishes like stews. Similar to kidney beans, you can use these beans in chili dishes!
10. Soya Beans
This is a wonder bean that is used in many ways thanks to its oil and protein content. It’s one of the most valuable agri-products exported in the USA, with soy milk and tofu in popular demand.
Soybeans are either green bean or dried bean, though you can grow them as a bush or pole bean as well.
11. Winged Beans
You can find Winged Beans dominating most areas in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The pod features four winds that are run by frilly edges.
People would wait until the beans have matured for consumption, though they are also plucked while young and cooked in vegetable soup. These are climbing beans that require poles other forms of support for proper growth.
12. Lima Beans
Lima beans would begin growing in greenish colors until maturation, then the color would fade into yellow. Surprisingly, you can eat these beans while they’re still young, as long as they are shelled. Lima beans are both a dry bean and green and dry bean, as well as a climbing and bush bean.
13. Great Northern Beans
These beans have a white to creamy color, giving them a mildly earthy and nutty flavor. Great Northern Beans are optimum for stews as it has great absorption properties. These beans would grow all year round.
14. Mung Beans
These beans are very popular in Asia, known as the Mongo beans. You can cook mung beans as a side dish or even turn it into a delicious dessert!
These beans are easy to grow as you can simply put them in a water container, germinating on their own. This is a dried bean grown as a bush bean.
Wrapping It Up
Beans are so versatile and easy to grow, anyone can begin growing these plants as long as you choose the right type suitable for your area. With proper growth conditions and requirements, you can enjoy a lot of delicious and nutritious beans for your dishes in the future.
I hope that you learned a lot about the types of beans you can grow in your garden. Now that you have an idea about the various bean varieties, look into what is most suited to your location to begin planting now! Happy gardening!
