About those yard long beans. I grew Red Noodle, Green Noodle and Asparagus Bean. I liked the red noodle the least and the Asparagus Bean the best. So last year I only grew the Asparagus Bean. But I had originally only tried the red seeded Asparagus Bean. This past summer I grew both red seeded and white seeded Asparagus Bean. I couldn't taste the difference between them at all, they tasted the same to me. I have used up my white Asparagus Bean seeds but have plenty of red left so this coming summer I will be growing the red seeded again.

Also will be growing the French Gold Pole beans. Then 2 types of bush beans because I have the seeds. Will see if I have room left to plant the burgundy pole beans or not, I might not have the room after I set out my garden space as I need to grow cooler season veggies in along there (like broccoli) also plus my melons and turnips.

You have turned your entire yard into gardens. Good for you, Rita! Every bit of space has a purpose.

Garden space is not wasted around here.

Last fall I moved a bunch of daylily clumps into a new daylily garden I created in the front yard. Tossed out some nerdy roses that were not doing well and moved afew others to make the garden space. I wanted to turn that daylily space into veggie garden space for this year as I simply never have enough room around here to plant all I would like to grow. No space gets wasted around here.

If I still had the energy I had about 10 years ago when I was teaching, I'd do the same thing.

I tried to cut down on my veggie space. I really, really did but I was so unhappy. I love to grow my veggies. And it is silly really as I grow way, way more than I can eat and am forever giving some away to friends and neighbors. But I just love to grow them. If I had land and space, I don't know what I would grow. It would look like a mini farm.

I think it already is a mini mini farm.

Sharon said:I think it already is a mini mini farm.

Honestly the only thing keeps me in check is my lack of space. I would grow so many varieties of veggies if I had more space that I would get totally overwhelmed and not be able to take care of them. I was already surprised last year at how much time it took to take care of all the veggies I grew last summer.

Just keep right on growing those veggies, Rita, I'm sure there's always somebody who loves eating them as much as you love the growing part.

Oh yes, I don't have any problems giving extra veggies away. The neighbors around here all know I grow veggies, especially tomatoes, to give away.

Last year I had plenty of beans. I really should have frozen some but I just did not get to it. I did give some to my neighbor a time or two. But mostly I just ate them.

My limit used to be lack of bed space, so I built several small raised beds (and the soil to fill them) for several years. Wherever the sun was best!

Now the limit seems to be my time and energy, even more than bed space. I have two spots semi-prepared for new raised beds, with SOME sun, but have not made enough soil for them.

Arlene,

Thanks for the tip about 'French Gold' yellow filet pole beans ("haricot verts")! That by itself is enough for me to move Renee's bookmark from "other seed vendors" to "Best Seed Vendors".

With a name like "Renee", it's gotta be good...
I will check out her website!

Okay, so seeds I already have for beans this year-

Red Seeded Asparagus Yard Long Beans.
Thai White Seeded Yard Long Bean

Black seeded Blue Lake Pole Beans.
Cosse Violetto Burgundy Pole Beans
French Gold Filet Yellow Pole Bean

Calima Green Bush bean
Maxibel Haricot Green Bush bean
Hildora Yellow Bush bean

As you can see, I have a lot of seed left over from last year. So I will not be buying any new bean seed but instead will be growing from these varieties that I already have.

I forgot to add. Starting beans from seed is very easy. But whether you start from seed or buy plants, remember that beans can not take cold weather. The plants will simply die and the seeds will rot unless the ground has warmed up. For a reference, tomato plants can handle a lot more cold than bean plants and we all know tomato plants can not handle much cold weather.