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Beans wont grow

 
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Looking for some wisdom from the experienced bean growers out there:

Beans and legumes wont grow in my current garden. Broad beans, pole beans, bush beans...they rarely even germinate. Snap peas will germinate but never get strong or produce much. I've grown them for many years in my region in past gardens without a problem but at this location they just don't come up. I did have success with bush beans in a raised bed with no native soil at this site. I know about the general conditions these plants need to thrive. What I'm wondering is if there are any specific pests or diseases I should be looking into? Other crops do well at this site, and it has been gardened on for probably close to 50 years by different folks.

I'd be happy to hear your suggestions!
Steph
 
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Welcome to the forum.

Maybe a little more information might help folks to determine what the problem is.

What part of the world are you in?  What is your grow zone? Just give folks a general idea of what part of the world.

What kind of soil do you have?

How much rainfall do you get a year?

Have you tried the paper towel method to germinate your seeds?

If the land has been farmed for 50 years maybe all the nutrients are gone.

Maybe building up your soil health will help:

List of Bryant RedHawk's Epic Soil Series Threads

https://permies.com/wiki/redhawk-soil

I have always found pinto beans will grow really well anywhere I have ever lived.

 
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Soil ph is a big one for my beans.  Our soil is quite acidic,  so I need to add some woodash or the like before planting.

If I've never grown beans there before,  germination tends to be poor.  They need bacteria and other invisible life to thrive,  this is why inoculated seed is so popular,  as it gets the soil life growing.   You mentioned it's new soil,  so that might be a good starting place.   Maybe mix in some of the local soil as a starter for the bacteria?
 
r ranson
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If the soil is disturbed,  birds,  rats, and other critters could be munching on the seed.  

Moisture and temperature are also something the seeds can be overly sensitive to.  An experiment sprouting the beans inside as well as planting some dry beans would give more information if the starting conditions are the issue.
 
I agree. Here's the link: https://woodheat.net
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