July 2021: Provider Green Beans

Blog by the Garden Center Team

This month’s seed kit features Provider Green Beans! To support our environment, some seed kit materials are now available digitally.

Planting Instructions

• Culture: In well-drained soil, sow seeds about 2 inches apart and 1 inch deep. Rows should be 20 – 36" apart. Also can be sown in containers, about 3 plants per gallon-sized container.
• Water: Water as needed to keep soil moist, but not saturated, until germination (7-10 days). Control weeds and avoid soil compaction near plants.
• Harvest: Harvest beans when about 5” long. Keep harvesting regularly to encourage new beans to form.

Pickled Green Beans

• Yield: 2 pints
• Prep Time: 15 minutes + 24 hours
• Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. green beans, rinsed & trimmed
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 dill sprig or 2 tsp. dill seeds
• 2 cups distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups water
• 1 tbsp. mustard seeds
• 1 tbsp. Kosher salt
• 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. Rinse and trim off the ends of the beans. Cut green beans to fit inside a pint mason jar. Place green beans standing up into the mason jar.
2. Add 1 clove garlic, 1 dill sprig or 1 tsp. dill seeds, 1.5 tsp. mustard seeds, and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes to mason jar. Repeat with second jar.
3. In a small saucepan add vinegar, salt, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and stir to fully dissolve salt.
4. Pour the brine over the green beans, ensuring they are fully submerged. Leave 1/2” headspace in mason jar.
5. Seal well and refrigerate 24 hours. Will keep in the refrigerator 2-3 weeks.

Craft: Little Window Greenhouse

You’ll Need:

• 1-2 bean seeds
• 1 paper towel
• 1 Ziploc bag
• Paper to create house frame (Optional)
• Tape to secure house to paper frame and window

Instructions:

1. Dampen paper towel with water and wring out.
2. Fold towel several times and place bean seeds with moist towel inside the ziploc bag and close bag.
3. Put the bag near or tape to a sunny window.
4. Optional: Cut out and decorate a paper house frame and tape it to the front of your bag.

With sun and water, your bean should sprout in several days.

Tips:

• You may choose to soak your bean seeds overnight before placing them in the bag, to give germination a head start.
• If mold grows on paper towel, carefully replace it with a new damp towel.
• As your sprout gets larger, you may transfer it to another container.

Community Spotlight: Urban Tilth

Urban Tilth is a community-supported agriculture organization based out of Richmond, CA. They grow their produce for schools, individuals & families in the community, and urban farms.

They supported families in need during the pandemic with free CSA boxes! Check them out at https://www.urbantilth.org/.