Beans

Fun Food Facts

• Chew on this! In 2009, Ontario produced more than 46 million pounds of green and yellow beans. That’s enough to fill the cargo holds of 720 Boeing 747 airplanes.

• Green and yellow beans have been around for over 9,000 years.

• Fresh beans snap easily in two. Crunch into raw beans for a burst of vitamin C (good for your gums and teeth).

Brain Teaser

Are you a bean brainiac? Which of the following are types of green and yellow beans?

a) Improved Tendergreen

b) Contender

c) Cherokee Wax

d) Honey Gold

e) All of the above.

Answer: e

Food Quest

Bean Power!

Ontario beans are easy to grow. Start them indoors, then plant the seedlings outside in your garden or in a larger pot. Grow-tastic!

You'll need:

• Ontario bean seeds
• Potting soil
• Egg carton or a plastic cup

What to do:

1. Fill the egg carton sections or plastic cup two-thirds of the way with potting soil.
2. Make a small hole in the soil and put a bean seed inside. If you’re using an egg carton, repeat for all the sections.
3. Add water until the soil is wet.
4. Put the carton or cup in a sunny spot.
5. Water every other day.
6. When the seeds sprout, plant them in a larger container or in your garden. Watch the seedlings grow, grow, grow!
7. The beans are ready to be picked when they are 1/8 inch thick and 4 to 6 inches long.