The Kitchen King Garden Bean offers a rewarding experience for home gardeners, providing a dependable and flavorful harvest. This popular variety is known for its ease of growth and generous yields, making it suitable for both novice and experienced growers. Its abundant, tender pods contribute to its widespread appeal.
Understanding Kitchen King Beans
Kitchen King beans are bush beans, growing compactly to 16-23 inches tall and 6-8 inches wide. They produce dark green pods, typically 4-5 inches long, which are notably stringless and straight. Gardeners value their tender texture and sweet flavor, making them excellent for various culinary uses.
Planting and Growing Kitchen King Beans
Kitchen King beans thrive with proper site selection and soil preparation. They require full sun (at least six hours daily) and well-draining, loose soil, ideally with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Amending soil with organic matter enhances fertility and structure.
Direct sowing is recommended, as Kitchen King beans are sensitive to transplanting. Plant seeds after the last frost, when soil temperatures consistently reach at least 60°F, with an optimal range of 70-80°F. Sow seeds 1-2 inches deep and 3 inches apart within rows, spacing rows 18-30 inches apart for proper air circulation. Once seedlings are 1-2 inches tall, thin them to 6 inches apart. For a continuous supply, succession plant every two weeks.
Consistent moisture is important for healthy bean plants, requiring about one inch of water per week from rainfall or irrigation. Maintaining even moisture levels is particularly important during flowering and pod development, as dry soil can cause blooms to drop and reduce yields. When watering, aim to deliver moisture directly to the root zone, avoiding overhead irrigation that wets the foliage, which helps prevent fungal diseases. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote excessive leafy growth at the expense of pod production. If soil nutrients are lacking, apply a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer at planting or monthly after establishment.
Harvesting and Using Kitchen King Beans
Kitchen King beans are typically ready for harvest 55-70 days from planting. Harvest pods when they are 4-5 inches long, dark green, and well-filled, before seeds become prominent, for best flavor and tenderness. Regular harvesting, ideally every couple of days, encourages continued production. Gently snap or cut beans from the plant, taking care not to damage it, and remove overmature pods to encourage continued production. They are versatile for steaming, stir-frying, fresh consumption, or preservation by freezing or canning.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Gardeners may encounter common issues when growing Kitchen King beans. Fungal diseases such as anthracnose, downy mildew, and rust can affect plants. Anthracnose causes dark spots on leaves and pods in warm, wet conditions. Preventative measures include good air circulation, avoiding overhead watering, prompt removal of infected material, and crop rotation.
Pests like aphids, bean weevils, and Mexican bean beetles can also pose challenges. Aphids distort leaves and transmit viruses; dislodge them with a strong water spray. Bean weevils damage dried beans, with infestations sometimes starting in the field. Removing plant debris and crop rotation help manage these pests. Mexican bean beetles feed on leaves and can be handpicked.
Poor yield or yellowing leaves can result from excessive nitrogen (promoting foliage over pods) or inadequate moisture, especially during flowering. Consistent watering and avoiding nitrogen over-fertilization mitigate these problems.