Fun Facts: Purple String Beans

The summer is a great time to get into the garden, get a little dirty, and plant some beans. This variety is called bush beans. It’s one of the easiest beans to grow. I mixed two packs of purple and green together, then planted two seeds in one hole about 4-5 inches apart in one row. Purple bush beans are my favorite to grow. Check out that beautiful purple hue and Buddy photobombing my picture. Growing both green and purple together provides the garden with a diverse contrast.

Fun Facts

Purple only exists on the outside, while the insides are green.
When cooked, the purple turns green.
Eaten raw, the purple beans are sweeter and nuttier.
Purple beans are healthier than green beans.
Purple has a higher antioxidant content called anthocyanin (like blueberries).

Soil Benefits

Not only are beans nutritious for us, but they’re also beneficial for the soil.

Natural Nitrogen Fixation – Beans are legumes that partner with Rhizobium bacteria to capture nitrogen from the air and convert it into a usable form for plants. This process enriches the soil by increasing its nitrogen content, especially when plant roots and residues are left behind after harvest.

Improved Soil Structure – Bean roots help loosen and aerate the soil. Their fibrous root system promotes healthy microbial life and enhances water retention.

Low-Input Crop – Since beans can fix their own nitrogen (when the right bacteria are present), they often need little or no synthetic fertilizer, reducing the risk of nutrient runoff and pollution.

Organic Matter Contribution – When bean plant residues are incorporated into the soil after harvest, they add organic matter that boosts microbial life and overall soil health.

Thrive for Health

A diet filled with fresh organic produce is a healthy diet. Especially, if it’s grown by your own hands. My garden is my therapy. A place where I can take my mind off the stresses of this world. I feel relaxed, focused, and excited to grow organic foods that my family enjoys eating. It’s a great, rewarding feeling to plant a seed, reap the harvest, and receive nutritional benefits at the end. Beans are a necessary vegetable for both physical needs and to regenerate the soil. It’s a great tradeoff.