Why Beans Belong in Your Garden (and How to Get Started)
If you haven’t already heard, beans are having a moment and for good reason. Maybe you’ve experimented with new ways to cook them or discovered how many ways there are to use up a can. But there’s another place they really stand out: in your garden.
Beans really can do a lot. They’re rich in fiber, packed with plant protein and just like they are good for us, they are good for the soil in your garden as well. Beans are a nitrogen fixer, meaning they work with beneficial soil bacteria known as Rhizobium to pull nitrogen from the air and convert it into ammonia, a form of nitrogen that plants can use more readily and that also enhances the soil. This helps reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.
On top of all that, beans are incredibly easy to grow and, if you choose a variety that can be dried and stored, they can provide homegrown food long after the season ends.