Beans, peas

Here you can find the most popular and reliable varieties of beans and peas, as well as the less commonly grown chickpea and lentil seeds. They are ideal for both small gardens and larger plots. Choose from tender, fresh-to-eat varieties and dry, storable seeds that can be used all year round! Variety types and benefits The bean and pea seed category covers a wide range, which can be divided into the following main types according to cultivation method and use: Bean varieties Pole beans Tall-growing, requires support. Sown later, but produces extremely abundant yields and can be harvested for a long time. Ideal for gardens where vertical space utilization is important. Bush beans Shorter-growing, does not require support. Can be sown earlier, develops quickly, and produces a crop that ripens all at once. Most often used as green beans for fresh consumption and freezing. By use: There are varieties grown for their tender pods (green beans) and for their mature seeds (dry beans). Pea varieties Garden peas This is the most common garden type, intended for fresh consumption and quick freezing. Its seeds are wrinkled, sweet, and the pod hardens quickly. Shelling peas Grown mainly for their fully matured, dry seeds. Sugar snap peas This variety is eaten with its thick, juicy pod, without shelling. Very tender, with a crisp texture. Peas are cold-tolerant and among the first vegetables that can be sown in the garden, ensuring an early harvest. Chickpeas Chickpeas (including Castellano and Lechoso varieties) are less common in home gardens, making them the most unique legume in this category. This heat-loving plant has become popular in recent years due to the popularity of hummus and other Middle Eastern dishes. Chickpeas are sensitive to frost, so they should only be sown after the soil has warmed up permanently, typically at the end of April or the beginning of May. They tolerate drought well, so their water requirement is low. As they are bushy and upright, they generally do not require support. Harvesting takes place from the end of July to August, when the plant turns yellow and the pods become rattling. Like all legumes, chickpeas enrich the soil with nitrogen, making them an excellent preceding crop in crop rotation. Lentils A traditional dry legume, less commonly grown in home gardens than beans. Lentils are among the cold-tolerant legumes, so they can be sown as early as late March or early April, as soon as the soil is workable. They thrive in moderately heavy, calcareous soil but are extremely sensitive to standing water, so good drainage is critical. Lentils also have low water requirements. The low-growing varieties do not require support. Harvesting takes place in July, when the pods turn yellow and the seeds have hardened. It is important to harvest in dry, rain-free weather, as lentil seeds easily fall out of the pods. Lentils are also valuable soil-improving plants, adding nitrogen to the soil through their roots. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 1. When is the ideal sowing time for beans and peas? Peas are cold-tolerant, so they can be sown as early as late February or March, as soon as the soil thaws. In contrast, beans are sensitive to frost! They should only be sown after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up (usually in mid-May). 2. What kind of support system do pole beans require? Pole bean varieties require tall, strong stakes, netting, or trellises at least 2–2.5 meters high, providing space for growth and abundant yields. 3. What kind of soil should they be planted in? Both legumes prefer well-drained, loose, humus-rich soil. Crop rotation is important, as beans and peas are both legumes that enrich the soil with nitrogen through their roots. Therefore, it is not advisable to plant them after themselves or after each other. 4. When can I sow chickpeas? As chickpeas are frost-sensitive legumes, they can be sown at the end of April or the beginning of May. 5. When do we harvest lentils? Usually in July, when the pods are already yellow and the seeds have hardened. It is important to harvest lentils in dry weather.