Organic farming of beans; procedures to follow

Organic farming is an upcoming technique of farming which was practiced by our ancestors in the olden days. When the people understood the benefits of organic products, they left the conventional technique of farming and began to implement organic farming. Comparatively, organic farming is much better than the conventional one which uses harmful fertilizers and pesticides that is harmful for humans as well as nature.

Now let us look into the farming techniques of beans.

Beans are long green vegetable which serves as a rich source of vitamins and nutrients and is an unavoidable part of our food culture. Beans are leguminous plants that come under the family of Fabaceae. Beans are rich with nutrients like proteins, iron, thiamine and riboflavin. Beans plants can be of two types; either it can be bush or creepers. Both their pods as well as seeds are consumed.

Bean crops can tolerate all weather conditions. They can be cultivated in farmlands are also grown as backyard crop. The bush varieties stay low to the ground whereas the creepers climb into poles for support. Bush beans produce yield in a shorter period while the creepers are a bit slow, but they supply yields throughout the season.

Different varieties of beans include dry beans, snap beans or green beans and soybean.

Beans are mainly cultivated in well-drained loamy soil which has a pH level between 5.5-6.0. Although these crops tolerate every climate, they are well grown in cool climates. Compared to other crops they are easy to grow. They produce quality yields even without applying fertilizers. If the soil is acidic, organic matters like dolomite lime, wood ashes and compost are added to balance the pH. Adding Nitrogen to the soil enhances leaf growth and pod production.

Beans are sown during early springs and they are sown in raised beds. Beans are maintained a gap of 4-7 inches. When the seeds sprout and the plant becomes mature, pruning is does to make the plant strong and healthy.

Before planting, the soil is ploughed well and work compost or fertilizer is applied. They are then left to receive full sun. The seeds are sown the next day. Once the seeds are planted, it is important to keep the soil moist to enhance germination. Mulching to done for this. The soil is covered with a layer of dry hay or grass. This is done throughout the season as it also reduces weed growth.

For the effective growth of bean crops, organic fertilizers like compost tea, worm teas, and liquid fertilizers are applied. The advantage of organic fertilizers is that along with enriching the crops, they also help in the growth of microorganisms present in the soil.

If at all you observe the leaves of the crops changing its colour to pale yellow, it’s time to apply the second set of nitrogen rich fertilizer.

Irrigation is done once after the sowing process, then in the third day and it is continued at 1 week interval. Beans are crops which require moisture content all the soil. The deficiency of the moisture content can cause defective bean pods.

Since beans are leguminous plants and has the capability to fix nitrogen in the soil, other crops sets can be grown along with beans. The most appropriate ones are carrots, chards, celery, eggplants, corn, peas, potatoes etc. These crops are heavy consumers of Nitrogen and cultivating these with beans gives good yield.

Weeding process is done after 20-25 days of planting and after 40-45 days. In most of the cases hand weeding is done for bean crops. Since the stems are very delicate, machine weeding can damage the crops.

Major pests which infect bean crops are Japanese beetles, Mexican beetles and Aphids. These pests can be removed manually, if you find them on plants. If the spread is large, organic pesticides like garlic, onions, neem oil etc. are used to get rid of them.

Apart from pests, infects can destroy the crops. The main insects that targets bean crops are:

• Soybean Aphid
• Leafhoppers
• Cutworm
• Seedcorn maggot

Bacillus thuringiensis is commonly used to prevent insect attacks in bean crops.

When the pods become well developed and become rounded and snap, it is ready to harvest. Never let the beans turn yellow colour and should be plucked when it attains light green colour.