Information on Soldier Bean Plants
Given the stresses of the economy, concern over food additives and a need to return to more simple (and less expensive) pastimes, many people have turned to gardening as a fun way to cut down on grocery bills and do things as a family. Because they are very easy to grow, soldier bean plants are a wonderful choice for first-time gardeners. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Soldier bean (phaseolus vulgaris) is an heirloom plant that has been cultivated in New England since before 1800. The name comes from a distinctive red mark on each 3/4-inch bean that resembles an old-fashioned toy soldier. These are also known as red-eye beans.
Soldier beans are a bush bean, with a firm texture and mild taste. They are dried before being cooked. Soldier bean plants are grown commercially only in New England and they tend to be produced in accordance with the demand for them.
Varieties
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Aside from the most popular soldier bean plant which produces white and red soldier beans, there is a Southern soldier bean plant that produces white and black beans. Another variety of soldier bean plant in western Kentucky produces a bean with a mohogany-colored "soldier."
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How to Grow Soldier Bean Plants
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Soldier bean plants will grow almost anywhere that has temperatures between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They grow best in full sun and they like crumbly soil that doesn't stop the little bean shoots from breaking through.
Because they are a bush bean, soldier bean plants do not need trellises or stakes.
Plant the seeds once all danger of frost has passed, and give your plants about an inch of water every week, preferably in the morning. This keeps the roots from getting too soaked, which can cause rot.
It should take 90 to 100 days for your soldier bean plants to mature enough to be harvested.
Where to Buy Soldier Bean Plants
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Because they are grown according to demand, soldier bean plants tend to be less available than other varieties, and so are usually a little more expensive. They can be found at seed stores, garden stores and nurseries in New England, and can be ordered online and through catalogs.
How to Cook Soldier Beans
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Now that you have grown your soldier bean plants, harvested and dried the beans, you get to enjoy them.
Soldier beans can be cooked in the same way you'd prepare most other dried beans. Rinse the beans, soak them overnight and then change the water before boiling them until they are soft. Once they are cooked, you can add onions, spices and meat, or bake them into casseroles with vegetables and cheese. They can also be used in any recipe that calls for white beans.
To avoid the flatulence associated with beans, change the water several times while they cook.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image courtesy of michelleacker on Photobucket
