Viewing post #1166923 by Newyorkrita

Weedwhacker said:Rita, you've been busy! and the pepper plants were certainly a bargain

Beans are normally self-pollinating before their flowers open, although cross pollination can occasionally happen; I've saved seed from my beans for years, with different varieties growing near each other, without having any problems. I do grow varieties with different seed colors/types next to each other (brown seeds next to black seeds next to white seeds, etc.), so that any crossing should be obvious. I think runner beans are an exception and have more tendency to cross (but not with "regular" bush and pole beans, being different species).

I cut the flower stalks out of my rhubarb plants today, planted my cukes (Summer Dance), hoed a lot of weeds that have come up since we started getting rain, and, of course, watered all the plants in the greenhouse . Thankfully, my 2 brothers-in-law stopped over and picked up their tomato and pepper plants, and a flat of pansies (that are finally just starting to bloom; need to start them earlier next year!), so that freed up a little room. Also picked more asparagus. Supposed to rain tomorrow, then 2 nice days after that so I'll get my tomato and pepper plants in the ground, along with the squash; I'm glad I waited, the garden was really dry a week or so ago, then we got several rainy days that soaked very nicely into the soil, so the plants should be pretty happy.

You have and will be busy in the garden also.

So I didn't know that about the bean pollinating themselves before they open. I just worry about the bees as I do have lots of bees here in my garden.