Garter bean Purple Pod
Garter bean Purple Pod is a special garter bean variety with striking purple pods. These pods can grow 60 to 70 centimeters long, but for the best flavour they should be harvested when they are about 30 centimeters long. Garter bean Purple Pod originates from West Africa. The purple color of the pods is mainly decorative and gives dishes a unique appearance before cooking. During cooking, the pods usually turn green. The plant sometimes also has slightly purple stems and forms a long climbing vine that looks spectacular in the vegetable garden.
Garter bean Purple Pod doesn't tolerate cold, moisture, or strong wind well and requires a warm, sunny location. In climates such as the Netherlands and Belgium, it grows best in a greenhouse or polytunnel. Garter bean Purple Pod contains vitamins A, B1, B2 and B11. It also contains the minerals sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper and zinc, as well as fiber and protein.
Garter bean Purple Pod can be boiled, stir-fried, or stewed. It can also be added to stir-fries, stews, salads, and soups. This bean is widely used in Surinamese, Chinese, Thai, and other Asian cuisines. The taste is mild and slightly sweet, somewhat similar to the flavour of French beans.
Use about 250 grams of raw Garter bean Purple Pod per person when serving them warm. Use 100 to 125 grams per person when serving them cold. Garter bean Purple Pod can be stored 1 to 2 days in a cool place. Don't store them in the vegetable drawer or the refrigerator, as this may cause discoloration. Freezing is not recommended, but preserving is possible. In short, Garter bean Purple Pod is healthy, tasty, and very versatile in the kitchen.
Growing Garter beans Purple Pod
Growing Garter beans Purple Pod starts with sowing the seeds. At www.123seeds.com you can buy Purple Pod seeds. You can start sowing indoors from April for an early harvest. Direct sowing outdoors is possible from mid-May, once the risk of night frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. In the Netherlands, Garter beans grow best in a greenhouse or a polytunnel. Provide the plants with sturdy support such as poles, strings, or a trellis. Maintain a plant spacing of about 100 cm. You can harvest your Garter beans Purple Pod from August onwards. Harvest the pods when they are 30 to 40 centimeters long for the best taste and texture. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce new pods. Garter bean Purple Pod is a non hardy annual climbing plant that can grow about 2 to 4 meters tall.
Buying Garter bean Purple Pod Seeds
At 123seeds you will find many varieties of legume seeds in the assortment. Of course, you can also buy Garter bean Purple Pod seeds here. Order your Purple Pod seeds easily, quickly, and safely online at www.123seeds.com
Indoor sowing: from April on
Outdoor sowing: mid May
Germination: 7 - 14 days
Germination temp.: 18 - 22 °C
Sowing depth: 3 - 4 cm
Plant distance: 100 cm
Plant position: sunny and sheltered
Harvest period: August - October
Indoor pre-sowing can be done from April for an early harvest. Sow in separate pots filled with well-moistened sowing soil. Sow the seeds 3 - 4 cm deep. Cover the seeds with a layer of potting soil. As Garter beans are a dark germinator. Make sure the temperature is between 18 - 22 °C. Keep the temperature as even as possible and don't let it drop at night. After 7 -14 days, the seedlings emerge. Keep the soil well moist, but not too wet to avoid rotting. Harden off the seedlings in early May, by putting them outside in the sun for 10 -14 days during the day. After this, you can put the seedlings in a very sunny, sheltered place with well-watered soil. Garter beans are best grown in a greenhouse in our climate (the Netherlands).
Sowing directly in the garden can be done from mid-May, as soon as there is no chance of night frost and the soil has already warmed up a little by the sun. Beans hate cold soil. Provide a very sunny, sheltered place with well-drained soil. Garter beans are best grown in a greenhouse in our climate (the Netherlands). Give the plants a firm support. Keep a planting distance of 100 cm. You can harvest your Garter beans from August onwards. Don"t let the beans grow much longer than 30 - 40 centimetres. They will then have the best flavour and no hard threads yet.
