QuestionI am in Southern North Carolina. I planted Kentucky Wonder beans in May. They came up well, I trellised them; they bloomed (and bloomed). However, I have harvested only a half dozen beans. the vines are green and vigorous. I grew them last year and had a good harvest. I have watered them but they don't seem stressed.
It has been mostly over 90 degrees here since about June 15. I wondered if it has been too hot for them to set pods. (I don't claim to be totally organic but I have used no pesticides on them.)
AnswerTheir roots may have been too hot. Do you mulch? You should mulch them with at least three inches of compost, sawdust, or alfalfa hay, preferably shredded or torn apart with your hands. This will maintain a cool moist root temperature and the plants won't stress.
Beans also do not like too much nitrogen. Or them may lack phosphorus or potassium....it is important to test your soil. For information about soil building visit our web site: http://www.avant-gardening.com
It could also be that the beans are dropping their pollen too soon. Or, they may just be slow this year, and you will get beans later than usual...