Plants on Your Plate

Garden Calendar

PLANTS ON YOUR PLATE Green Beans

or green beans…different names for the same product. Older plant varieties had a fibrous ‘string’ that ran the length of the bean, hence the name. Through modern plant breeding, newer varieties tend not to have this string. The name snap bean became popular due to the sound made when picking and preparing for cooking. Green beans are the second most common home garden plant, right behind tomatoes. Green beans are classified as pole or bush varieties, and both will yield the same nutritious product, though pole beans may require slightly different maintenance in needing a pole or trellis to support their growth. Originating in Peru, green beans were shared through south and central America via migrating Indian tribes. Native Americans would plant pole beans as part of the three sisters planting process, where corn stalks would provide the structure for the beans to climb, while squash plants would provide shade to the roots to retain moisture.

When selecting fresh green beans, look for a bright, vivid color and a velvety feel and firm texture. Don’t choose limp, split or oversized beans that are bulging, as the seed pods inside will make the beans tough and potentially produce that fibrous string. Fresh beans can be stored in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Trim away any insect or ‘rust’ spots as you prepare your beans.

Green beans have always been one of my favorite garden-fresh vegetables and one that I was most actively involved harvesting as a child. I didn’t exactly enjoy bending over the long rows planted in our family garden, or snapping the ends to prepare for a meal, but I did enjoy the simple goodness of a pot of fresh cooked green beans, seasoned with onion and a bit of ham or bacon. Add in some fresh new potatoes, with a side of sliced tomatoes, and that was a common summertime dinner all by itself. Like most vegetables, green beans are a low-calorie choice and are a good source or vitamins C and K, as well as potassium, magnesium and fiber.

If you have an abundance of green beans, they can be frozen, canned or pickled, though canning supplies have been in limited supply in many areas. Growing up, we pressure canned most of our green beans plain, but over the years, I have become more fond of pickled dilly beans. The recipe below, from Seasonal and Simple has a similar flavor as dilly beans and makes a tasty side dish for a late-summer

Snap beans, string beans

picnic.

Dilled Green Bean Salad

MAKES 5 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS 1-pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill 4-6 green onions, chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard Dash of hot sauce (optional)

Steam green beans over boiling water for 5 minutes, until tender-crisp. Stir together beans, dill and onions in a bowl. In a separate bowl or small jar, combine oil, vinegar, mustard and hot sauce and whisk or shake to combine. Pour over bean mixture and mix well. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

NUTRITION INFORMATION Calories: 84, Total Fat: 5.5g, Saturated Fat: >1g, Sodium: 16mg, Carbohydrates: 8g, Fiber: 3.5g, Protein: 2.5g

Recipe adapted from Seasonal and Simple, analyzed by verywellfit.com.

DENISE SULLIVAN Nutrition Ninja

Denise Sullivan (@MUExtJacksonCo) is a Nutrition and Health Education Specialist for MU Extension in Jackson County. For research based nutrition and food safety information and programs, call 816-482- 5850 or visit https://extension2.missouri.edu/.

TIME FOR FALL

CLEAN-UP! Let us help you with your fall clean-up. Now is the time for pruning, too. Give us a call.

www.greenleafkc.com 816.916.5171

Top Soil • Mulch • River Rock • Sand • Gravel Fireplace Materials • New & Used Brick • Pavers

9108 W. 57th Merriam, KS 66203 (1 blk E. of Merriam Dr.) Hrs: Mon.–Fri. 7am–5pm • Sat. 8am–12pm 913-432-8092

Bringing glorious living color to your garden since 1977.

Fall Mums Pumpkins

Fall is the perfect time to plant. Come see our selection of trees, shrubs and perennials. We hope to see you soon.

Our 2020 Plant List is available on our website.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! #NeedMoreFlowers www.arnoldsgreenhouse.com info@arnoldsgreenhouse.com (620) 964-2463 • 1430 Hwy 58, LeRoy, KS 66857 Summer hours 9a-5p Monday-Saturday, Closed Sundays

Feed lawn and shrubs to survive winter

Winterizer for Established Lawns 25-0-6 Fall feeding is one of the most critical feeding times. A healthy and stable plant can endure the hardship of winter better than a weak plant. Winterizer builds winter hardiness, stem strength and disease resistance in lawns, trees and shrubs.

www.fertilome.com

Have a lawn and garden question for the Gard’n-Wise Guys? Go to Facebook and ask them your question.

NOW AVAILABLE AT: Jacksons Greenhouse & Garden Center, Topeka v Doctors At the Lake, Lake of the Ozarks v Manns Lawn & Landscape, St. Joe v Gronis Hardware and Seed, Leavenworth v Clinton Parkway Nursery, Lawrence v Barnes Greenhouses, Trenton, MO v Soil Service Gdn. Center, Kansas City, MO v Loma Vista North, Kansas City, MO v Skinner Garden Store, Topeka v Full Features Nursery, Smithville v Springtime Garden Center, Lee’s Summit v Heartland Nursery, Kansas City, MO v Planter’s Seed, Kansas City, MO v Penrod’s Greenhouse, Kearney v North Star Garden Center, Liberty v Grimm’s Gardens, Atchison v Moffet Nursery, St. Joe v Suburban Lawn & Garden, Kansas City, MO

Bluejay

We’re open, come on in!

LARGEST SELECTION of wild bird supplies in the KC area, including bird seed, feeders, houses and hardware.

Plants on Your Plate

Next Article

Garden Calendar