Snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), locally known as Baguio beans, are rich in vitamins and minerals, including beta-carotene, fiber, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. It’s also a popular vegetable among Filipinos.
Two types of snap beans are available in the market: the bush and pole. Bush beans grow about one to two feet high in more of a bush shape and don’t require support. Meanwhile, pole beans can grow tall and need support.
Plant Baguio beans in loose soil rich in organic matter, with ideal pH levels of 5.5 to 7.5. As for the climate, the vegetable prefers the cold, with temperatures from 18 to 29 degrees Celsius. Planting periods for snap beans are between October and November.
Land preparation is crucial before planting. Start by tilling the soil before adding one kilo of chicken manure or 300 grams of carbonized rice hull per square meter. Make a soil bed measuring one meter wide and 15 centimeters deep to prevent waterlogging.
Start by planting one to two seeds per furrow. There must be a 20-centimeter distance and a 35-centimeter distance in every row. Then, water after planting.
The snap beans will soon sprout and start climbing after three to four weeks. A trellis must be available to support the plant’s growth around this time. Use bamboo sticks or similar materials to create a two to three-meter-long trellis with a 60-degree inclination toward the nearest row.
After 14 days, add compost to the mounts and fermented plant juice (FPJ) once or twice a week. Manure tea is also an ideal fertilizer to increase the plant’s resistance against pests and diseases. Water the area twice a week or when needed. Make it a habit to remove weeds to keep the plants from fighting for nutrients.
Some common pests in snap beans are whitefly, bean fly, and bean pod borer. The bean flies often attack when the plants are still small, but they are manageable using a spray solution with 100 grams of ground chili in 16 liters of water and one tablespoon of powder detergent.
In the meantime, diseases like rust, anthracnose, and root rot are avoidable by using resistant varieties of snap beans, crop rotation, and fungicides.
The snap beans will be ready for harvesting after 45 to 60 days after planting or 10 to 15 days after flowering. Picking usually occurs during the third or fourth day.
This information is from the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI).