Question
Hi Mike,

Thanks for providing this service.

My wife and I have been gardening for just a few years here in Colorado Springs, CO. A question came up and I thought I would ask:

We planted quite a few bush garden beans (Green 'n Plenty and Blue Lake 274). We will soon be thinning the emerging crop and wondered if the leaves are edible in a salad or soup.

We have the same question for okra leaves, beet leaves, eggplant leaves, and swiss chard leaves.

Seems a waste to throw out the leaves if they are edible / tasty in a salad or soup ... but we didn't want to poison ourselves.

TIA,
Lynn Allan

Answer
Lynn, none of the leaves you mentioned are poisonous, but except for the leaves from beets and swiss chard, none of the others you mentioned are what I consider to be desirable.  Beets and swiss chard, on the other hand, produce leaves that are often used in Italian greens, similar to spinach.  They are not only tasty, but also very nutritious.

Have a good evening.

Mike