Beans

Direct seed or transplant: April–June For best results, wait to direct seed until daytime temperatures are regularly over 70°F and soil temperature is over 60°F. Direct-seeded beans will rot if the soil is too cold. Harvest window: 50–100 days depending on variety.

We compared 12 varieties of long beans, Vigna unguiculata, to determine which ones have the best production and the best flavor for growing here in Santa Clara County. Chinese Green Noodle was the most productive variety by far and was the favorite in the first tasting for its very tender, mild pods. Chinese…

Peas are a cool season vegetable in Santa Clara County. There are three types of fresh peas: Shelling peas, where the tough pod is removed before eating. Snow peas, which have edible pods and are harvested flat, while the peas inside are small and immature. Sugar snap peas, which have edible pods and are…

Fava beans (Vicia faba), sometimes called broad beans, grow well as a cool season crop in Santa Clara County. (Most other beans require warm weather.) Favas are also often grown as a cover crop because of their ability to add nitrogen to the soil.