Lecture by Alan Chadwick in New Market, Virginia, 1979
Lecture 21.2, Plant Study: The Bean Family, Part 1
An Introduction to Alan Chadwick's Lectures and a Glossary of Terms
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Phaseolus, the beans. The lentils are actually part of the vicia family. Vicia fava, The Broad Bean. Native of Persia and eastward. A great producer of nitrogen bacteria in the soil, and works to reduce fungus. The dry beans can be ground into an excellent poultry feed. High in protein. If collected while the seed and its skin are still green, it is a delicious human food. The one and only winter bean; does not like growing during the summer. Varieties of the broad bean. They will support themselves if grown close together. Sow them in September or October, or else in February. The bush favas are highly productive. An anecdote about the Brussel Sprout growers of Santa Cruz. The Scarlet Runner Bean. Will not tolerate frost. Loves moisture, rich soil, and good drainage. Hummingbirds adore it. Excellent when eaten pod and all, but in that case must be harvested while the seed is still small and green. Should be trained up chicken wire or stakes. (20:24)