Common bean Braimar

The Braimar Dwarf Bean is a fast-growing variety of snap pea that produces long pods measuring 18 cm (7in) in length with hazelnut-colored grains. Braimar has good resistance to bean diseases; its productivity is very high and consistent, making it a preferred variety for vegetable gardens. It does not produce filaments or parchment-like skin. It is also notable for its quality flavor and can be used in a variety of culinary dishes. There are numerous ways to enjoy beans, including Italian, Indian, or Lebanese preparations that are best enjoyed fresh. These recipes are ideal during the summer harvest. It is also well-suited for canning and freezing.
You will harvest every 3 to 4 days from June to October for sowings from April to August.

Whether consumed for its pod or its seed, the bean is a highly appreciated vegetable in gardens because it is very easy to grow. It is so punctual that the gardener knows the exact date when the first harvest will take place, which is 60 days after sowing.

Discovered in the New World and acclimated in Europe starting from the 16th century, the bean has now become an essential legume in diets all over the world. Native Americans cultivated it for its dried seeds, but it was the Italians who, in the 18th century, introduced the consumption of the immature whole pod.

The bean is a vine with indeterminate growth. Primitive varieties are all climbing plants and require trellising. Later, for practical reasons, dwarf varieties were selected, but all of them have tendrils that can wrap around a support.

The pods are generally green, sometimes yellow (butter beans), streaked with red, or even amethyst. Among the varieties that are consumed at the "fin" or "extra fin" stage, there are "haricots à filets" that develop filaments when ripe. Then the pod becomes parchment-like and loses its taste quality. The snap pea is generally more fleshy and can be consumed entirely, including the seeds and pods, even when fully ripe. More recently created "filet - mangetout" beans can be consumed when young and "extra fin" until they become more fleshy like a snap pea because they do not form filaments.

Among the "à écosser" varieties (where only the seeds are consumed), there is a distinction between harvesting fresh beans and dried seeds, which is 90 days after sowing.

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

Harvesting: The harvest of fresh beans or young pods begins 60 days after sowing. For fresh beans, it must be done before the pods start to dehydrate and develop wrinkles. The beans should barely have started to change color. For the consumption of pods, the harvest will take place every 2 or 3 days, both at the "fin" and "extra fin" stages for snap peas. The harvest of dried beans is done by cutting the entire plant, which is then hung in a dry and well-ventilated place. They can be shelled as needed.

Storage: 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 plunge them into cold water before drying them with a clean towel. Once placed in a bag, the beans can be stored in the freezer at -18°C (-0.4°F). However, canning is regaining popularity among an increasing number of consumers due to the taste qualities inherent in this preservation method. Like freezing, remove the stems, wash and blanch the beans, then place them in jars and fill them with boiling salted water. Seal the jars and sterilize them in a pressure cooker or with a sterilizer for 1 hour and 30 minutes over medium heat. To do this, completely cover the jars with water after sealing them tightly.

Dried beans: Once completely dry, bean seeds can be stored for up to a year if kept in good conditions, such as in airtight jars.

Gardener's tip: Beans, like all members of the Fabaceae family, have the ability to fix nitrogen from the air in the soil through a plant-bacteria symbiosis. They have the ability to regenerate soils. Beans can be included in crop rotation after burying green manure. In Central and South America, beans are traditionally grown together with squash and corn, forming a triad with positive companionship. This association is locally known as Milpa. Beans also associate well with eggplants, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, and radishes as they protect each other. Avoid planting them near alliums or fennel as their growth is inhibited.

A spray of nettle manure allows for effective control of aphid attacks and also strengthens the plants that benefit from it.