Climbing snap bean Planeta (Flat coco bean)

Planeta is a climbing French bean that produces 30 cm (12in) long and 20 mm (1in) wide, dark green, flat pods with white beans. These very fleshy pods are stringless and have a delicate and tender flavour. By arranging bamboo stalks in a tipi or Canadian tent shape, you can make an attractive but useful support. Planeta will tower over the vegetable garden from its 3 m (10ft) height and will easily form a green screen. Place several seeds in a hole at the base of each support. Each plant produces many white flowers in spring, followed by lots of beans. This early variety is resistant to the main bean diseases. Sow from April to August and harvest from June to October.

This easy to grow bean can be harvested as whole, tender green beans or as dried beans. It is so reliable that the gardener knows the exact date when it can be harvested, 60 days after sowing.

Discovered in the New World and acclimatised in Europe from the 16th century, the bean has now become an essential legume in all world diets. Native Americans cultivated it for its dried seeds, but it was the Italians who began eating the whole, immature pod, in the 18th century.
Beans are vines with indeterminate growth. Primitive varieties are all climbing and require staking. Later, more practical dwarf varieties were selected, but they all have tendrils that can wrap around a support.
The pods are generally green, sometimes yellow, streaked with red or even purple. Among the varieties eaten at the fine or extra fine stage, are string beans that have threads when ripe. Then the pod becomes parched and loses its taste quality.

French beans are generally more fleshy and can be consumed entirely, both the seeds and the pods, even when ripe. The more recently created sugar snap beans can be consumed when young and extra fine, or when more fleshy as they do not form any strings.

Among shelling beans (i.e., beans where only the seeds are consumed), there is a distinction between harvesting fresh beans and dry beans, which is done 90 days after sowing.

Immature green pods are rich in vitamins A, B9 and C, trace elements and minerals. Dry beans are also very rich in vitamin C, trace elements and especially vegetable proteins.

Harvesting: harvest fresh beans or young pods from 60 days after sowing. For fresh beans, it must be done before the pods start to dehydrate and develop wrinkles. The beans should barely take on any colour. For pod consumption, harvest every 2 or 3 days, both at the fine and extra fine stages. The harvest of dry beans is done by cutting the whole plant, which is then suspended in a dry and airy place. They can be shelled as needed.

Preservation: freezing pods is currently the most common method of preservation. To do this, remove the stems, wash the pods, blanch them for 5 to 6 minutes in boiling water, then immerse them in cold water before drying them with a clean towel. The beans can be stored in a bag in the freezer at -18°C (-0.4°F). However, canning is regaining popularity due to the inherent taste qualities of this preservation method. Just like freezing, remove the stems, wash and blanch the beans, then immerse them in cold water. Place them in jars and fill them with salted boiling water. Close the jars and sterilise them in a pressure cooker or with a steriliser for 1 hour and 30 minutes over medium heat. To do this, completely cover the jars with water after securing them well.

Dry beans: when completely dry, bean seeds can be stored for up to a year if kept in good conditions, for example in airtight jars.

Gardener's tip: beans, like all members of the Fabaceae family, can fix nitrogen from the air in the soil through a plant-bacteria symbiosis. They can therefore regenerate soils. Beans can be included in crop rotations after green manure.
Traditionally, beans are grown with squash and corn in Central and South America, forming a triad with positive companionship. This association is locally called three sisters. Beans also associate well with aubergines, carrots, cabbages, potatoes, and radishes, as they protect each other. However, avoid planting them alongside alliums or fennel, as their growth is inhibited.

A spray of nettle manure can effectively control aphids and strengthen the plants.