Garden problem

deere755 · Apr 6, 2005

We have lived here for about 4 years now. Our garden spot has a lot of clay in it from where we tore down the old house that use to be here. We have had good luck growing every thing except green beans. They seem to be plentiful but lack flavor. We have tried every brand out there Top Crop, Blue Lake etc. and they always taste bland. My wife cooks them the same as the ones she gets from her Mom who lives a 1/4 of a mile from us, and they always taste great. They always plant Top Crop. I usally put some 10-10-10 on before planting. Are we lacking something in the soil or is it just the wrong soil type for green beans? HELP!!!

ByronBob · Apr 7, 2005

Have you done a google search on this maybe? Another option might be going to your local garden center that sells green bean plants and ask around. Another option which you might find here is a farmer who lives by you that might know.

I'm sure someone here as you've tried can answer your question.

Hambone · Apr 7, 2005

If concerned about the soil, do a soil test. You can get one usually at the local harware. About $6.

Indydirtfarmer · Apr 7, 2005

Don't use ANY nitrogen fertilizer where you're planting beans.... They don't NEED it nor do they LIKE it. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

slydog · Apr 8, 2005

I was told the same thing at our local garden center. Use phosphate for beans, not nitrogen. Nitrogen will produce some really great vines, but will cut down on the bean production. I'm not sure how it affects taste. I bought my phosphate fertilizer at Lowes. It comes in about a 5 lb bag, and was about 7.00, so it's not cheap compared to nitrogen.

kensfarm · Apr 8, 2005

Nitrogen Fixation by Legumes: Beans, Clovers, Alfalfa, Peanuts.. etc

Approx. 80% of the atmosphere is nitrogen gas.. nitrogen fixation by legumes can be in the range of 25-75 lbs in a natural ecosystem.. and 200-500 pounds in a cropping system depending on the legume.. of nitrogen per acre per year. Most of the nitrgen fixed goes directly into the plant.. a little leaks into the soil.. but the nitrogen eventually returns to the soil when the legume dies & decomposes.

So basically.. the legume plant w/ the help of bacteria at the roots.. makes it's own nitrogen.

EastTexFrank · Apr 8, 2005

Sounds as if a load or two of compost wouldn't be amiss but I'd get a soil test done to be sure that everything else was OK. You can also get a test kit from your extension agent.

I'd take it easy on the nitrogen too.

I know how you feel. My 86 year M-I-L's beans taste better than mine too and she just throws the seed in the ground and practically lets them fend for themselves. Sometimes life is just not fair. It got so bad that for a number of years I quit growing them. My ego couldn't stand the beating it took every year. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RobertN · Apr 8, 2005

Check with Master Gardeners . They could give you recomenddations for you specific area and soil types. You may have an underlying soil condition that is not "fixed" by typical fertilizers. It is possible that you may need other amendments to balance your soil.

The Master Gardener program is really a great thing. It is offered by the University systems in most states. My wife is a part of the program here. They answer questions like this, have classes on various aspects of gardening, and since they are linked to the Universities, if they can not answer the question, they can utilize other University resources to find an answer.